Men belonging to Maori and Pacific Islander communities have been advised to avail of the free health check-up being offered at the Waitangi Day Festival. The event is being held in Palmerston tomorrow and men above 35-years of age have been advised not to miss this opportunity.

The initiative is a collaborated effort pitched in by various health groups and welfare bodies. Various groups like iwi health providers, Public Health Unit and the Central Primary Health Organization are among the organizations responsible for this noble initiative.

The free check-ups are being offered as part of the National Heart Week and are being carried out to help decrease the problem of widespread heart diseases in the country. The rate of heart diseases among men has also been found to be around two times as high, when compared to women. The situation is so adverse that the life expectancy rate among Maori men is around 10 to 14-years lower than that of Caucasian New Zealanders.

Apart from suggesting ways to improve the chances of developing heart diseases and screening for various underlying ailments, the event is being organized to improve awareness about living a healthy lifestyle. People will also be informed how cholesterol lowering drugs are beneficial for a person’s health.