June 13, 2024
Healthy body, healthy mind for men’s health week
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Former deputy police commissioner, Wally Haumaha, says a brush with cancer forced him to rethink his work and life.
It’s men’s health week, and Mr Haumaha says that’s a great time for tāne Maori to start making positive changes to their lives.
Maori men are likely to live shorter lives than their pakeha counterparts, they’re almost twice as likely to die from cancer, and they also face higher levels of heart disease and diabetes.
He says findng he had prostate cancer in 2009 seriously affected his mental health – and led him to make changed to his diet, lifestyle and fitness regime.
“All of these things are part of that therapy that helps to contribute you know to keeping your mental health intact. It’s not just about the physical side of strengthening your body – and trying to live longer – its also about maintaining that mindset.” Mr Haumaha says.
He hated talking about his health struggles – until he realised he could help inspire others to improve their health.