SA men are dying too young – it's time to talk

ONE silent crisis continues to claim lives: men's health. Across South Africa, men are suffering and dying in silence. The reasons? Fear, stigma and a deeply ingrained culture of avoidance when it comes to medical check-ups and health screenings.

- DR LEE MOSES

This Men's Health Month, we are calling on men of all ages to take charge of their well-being by prioritising regular health screenings, embracing healthier habits, and speaking openly about both physical and mental health challenges. Too many men only visit a doctor when it's already too late. We need to normalise proactive care because prevention is far more powerful than a cure.

The stats speak for themselves

South African men are living, on average, seven years less than women, with an average life expectancy of just around 62 years for men, compared to 69 years for women. This stark difference is largely due to avoidable health risks, late diagnoses and a lack of health-seeking behaviour such as preventative care.