10 July
New Zealand 'flying doctor' Dave Baldwin went into Christchurch Men’s Prison today to talk to prisoners about men’s health issues.
“Raising prisoners’ awareness of health issues and how to tackle them is an important part of improving the health of prisoners,” Prison Manager John Roper says.
Dr Baldwin spoke to prisoners about ageing, sexual health and education, mental illness, cancer and alcohol. Mr Roper said his use of humour to tackle these serious health issues appealed to the prisoners.
“Dr Baldwin related to the prisoners with his straight shooting approach to health issues that prisoners may not have been aware of or willing to address,” he says.
Tobacco smoking, chronic disease, including depression, and drug and alcohol addiction are some of the more prevalent health issues amongst New Zealand prisoners.
“Improving the health of prisoners benefits not only individual prisoners and their families but all of society, by reducing the burden and impact of chronic disease and mental illness on families, health care services and community members. Improved health also enhances the rehabilitation and re-integration of prisoners back into society,” Acting National Health Manager Deborah Alleyne says.
Dr Baldwin has been in demand as a public speaker since the publication of his men’s health book, Healthy Bastards – A bloke’s guide to being healthy, earlier this year.
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