Along with the horses, the rides, dagwood dogs and fairy floss, the Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) was also at this year’s Cobar Show.
The Rotary Club of Cobar has been for a number of years helping to promote men’s health in Cobar by bringing the Rotary District MHERV unit to Cobar.
Rotary Club of Cobar past president Gordon Hill said Rotary International has a keen interest in health issues both nationally and at a local level.
“MHREV was funded by Rotary Clubs in the 9670 Rotary District.
“This district extends from Newcastle to Cobar and provides a suitable facility for testing men’s health at community events such as the Cobar Show,” Mr Hill said.
The men’s health van was staffed by local Community Health staff and spent a couple of hours in Barton St on Friday morning before relocating to the Cobar Show at Ward Oval that afternoon.
Local men were encouraged to visit the van to have a basic health check carried out, which included blood sugar levels (testing for diabetes), blood pressure (as a check on heart health), cholesterol (diet) and a body mass index test.
The whole test only takes about 10 minutes and may save a life.
Mr Hill said while the number of men visiting the van this year was down on previous years (with just 32), he said it was significant that four of those tested were identified with serious health issues and were advised to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
“It would appear that local men may be becoming more health aware with many men advising Community Health staff working in the van that they had recently visited a doctor and some were also able to advise staff of their health check outcomes,” Mr Hill said.
“The Rotary Club of Cobar will continue to bring the MHERV to Cobar in an ongoing effort to raise local awareness of men’s health issues,” Mr Hill said.
