American writer P. J. O'Rourke once said: "There is one thing women can never take away from men. We die sooner." This should come as no surprise to anyone who has cast even a cursory glance over health statistics. As the most recent Victorian Population Health Survey shows, male lifestyle decisions place them at greater health risk than females. In an age when takeaway food has become a regular choice for those too busy (or incompetent) to prepare healthy meals, only 3.6 per cent of men were found to eat the recommended five servings of vegetables each day. ... Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward blames traditional views about masculinity for men's poorer health. While there may be some truth in this, it is no excuse. The time has long passed when men could rely on stay-at-home wives and mothers to feed them properly, make their medical appointments and ensure they exercised.

A man's health is his own responsibility and deserves at least the same attention he lavishes on his car - proper daily care, regular servicing and careful diagnostic testing to ensure optimum performance. ... Great gains have been made in changing public attitudes to smoking, drink-driving and speed - all threats to public health. ... There should be no reason that a boy born in 2000 should be expected to live to be 77, while a girl born the same year can expect to reach 82.

- The Age, Melbourne, Australia