Most men take an interest in maintaining their vehicles. How about their bodies?

Men from Karuah, Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and surrounding areas are being invited to put their bodies to the test through Pit Stop at the Karuah and District RSL Club in Tarean Road, Karuah, on Wednesday, 26 November 2008.

Statistically, men are a pretty unwell mob, generally dying of almost all causes earlier than women.

Pit Stop is a free health check-up that likens parts of the male anatomy to an engine. There are 14 different stops including those where men can have their oil levels (blood pressure) tested, spare tyre (girth) checked and check if they have a balanced wheel alignment (falls prevention).

Rural mental health nurse and ‘head mechanic’ John Cullen said the mechanical concept brings an element of humour to men’s health and removes it from a clinical setting.

The challenge to men from the Karuah, Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and surrounding communities is to see if their body will pass the pits with flying colours or be needing follow-up maintenance work, he said.

“Men, put a challenge out to your mates. Come and do yourself a favour and visit our Pit Stop crew for your free health check,” John said.

“We hope the Pit Stop program helps men learn about health issues they haven’t paid much attention to. Then this knowledge will ripple out to the community through their sons, mates and work colleagues.”

The Pit Stop program is a proud partnership between Hunter New England Health staff from Greater Newcastle Community Health, Drug and Alcohol Services and the Regional Development Program, and also the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative medical service.

Contact: Frances Holz

Phone: 4939 2216