Doctor Recommends Prescription for Life

Doctor Recommends Prescription for Life

June 6, 2014

When men visit their GP as part of Men’s Health Week 2014 they should ask for a “prescription for life.”

A leading Occupational Physician is encouraging older men in particular to have an annual check-up which is a pivotal component of the “Seven Steps to Protect Your Health” featured in Men’s Health Week.

Visit a GP is the first step listed for men to kick-start their healthy life. Men’s Health Week, from June 9-15, recommends “one of the easiest ways to take care of your health is having a check-up once a year.”

“By monitoring your health and being aware of any illnesses in your family history, you will be more likely to catch health issues early,” Men’s Health Week says.

Dr Simon Ryder-Lewis, who specialises in Occupational Medicine, says it would be very appropriate for men to request a “prescription for life”.

When they pick up their doctor’s script they also leave with information about how to remain healthy for the rest of their life.

Dr Ryder-Lewis says Men’s Health Week goes both ways. While it encourages men to adopt the Seven Simple Steps, it’s an ideal time for GPs to attach valuable medical advice.

He calls it the “prescription for life.”

Wellington based, Dr Ryder-Lewis, who’s the Chief Medical Officer for Accuro Health Insurance, is presenting the Men’s Health Week message at a number of work places in the Wellington region.

“I know GPs have a huge workload, but Men’s Health Week provides a great opportunity for them to get out and reinforce the message to as many groups as possible,” Dr Ryder-Lewis says.

He warns that the Seven Simple Steps to Protect Your Health are a “rest of life” commitment.

“While the inspiration to take control of your life focuses on Men’s Health Week, there are 51 other weeks when they must preserve their new health regime,” Dr Ryder-Lewis says.

“Men respond well in peer groups and I would encourage them to link up with other men and be part of a fitness group or get their family involved.”

Both Dr Ryder-Lewis and Accuro Health Insurance support Men’s Health Week 2014.

The seven simple steps are;

• Visit a GP

• Measure your blood pressure

• Exercise regularly

• Eat healthily

• Healthy thinking

• Stop smoking

• Maintain healthy relationships.

About Accuro

Accuro Health Insurance is a not-for-profit member organisation that’s been providing medical insurance to New Zealanders for more than 40 years. Accuro is the only health insurer that has consistently grown in membership over the last three years and, for four years in a row, was evaluated by Consumer NZ as providing the best cover for the lowest possible price. Accuro is Latin for “taking care.”

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