A qualitative content analysis of Australian newspapers’ depiction of men’s health

This study presents a qualitative content analysis of Australian newspaper coverage regarding men's health, investigating issues such as prostate cancer, infertility, hypertension, and suicide, as well as the intersections of these framings with masculinity and health-seeking behaviours. Sixteen articles from both national and regional newspapers were analysed to ascertain whether men's health was depicted as a crisis and national concern or portrayed as a general issue. The findings indicate that male suicide and mental health are most frequently represented as a crisis, typically employing urgent language that underscores cultural stigma and systemic neglect. Prostate cancer and infertility are commonly framed as national concerns, correlating with public health campaigns and research investments, whereas general health issues such as hypertension are presented in neutral and educational tones. Across all categories, traditional masculine norms, such as stoicism, self-reliance, and emotional restraint, persist as significant barriers to early intervention and health-seeking behaviour. This study emphasises the media's pivotal role in shaping public discourse, policy attention, and men's engagement with health services. It concludes by advocating for media narratives that embrace a strengths-based perspective, contesting detrimental masculine norms and fostering inclusive representations of men's health to enhance support for prevention, early intervention, and long-term wellness outcomes.