University of Adelaide offers free health checks for businesses as part of a large diabetes study SOUTH Australian businesses with a large male workforce are being urged to sign up for free health checks, as part of a University of Adelaide study that aims to prevent diabetes in men aged 50 and over. The study is investigating whether testosterone supplements will be effective in helping men to lose weight and prevent diabetes. As many as 25,000 overweight or obese men aged 50 and over are being sought for the study in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney - but researchers first need to determine if the men have "pre-diabetes." "To conduct this study and reach as many men as possible, we are offering a free workplace health screening to South Australian businesses with a large male workforce," Professor Gary Wittert, Director of the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health at the University of Adelaide said. "More than a quarter of Australia's workforce is now aged 50 years or older and we know that for men, this is the most vulnerable time for the onset of lifestyle-induced chronic health conditions, the complications of which can have a major impact on time off work and thus productivity," Professor Wittert said. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent conditions in males over 50 years of age. Many men may be pre-diabetic and not be aware of it, and yet this pre-diabetic stage provides an important opportunity for intervention to prevent full diabetes from developing. Professor Wittert says the free health checks will have a range of benefits. This will not only provide employees with a health consultation, without considerable time off work, but will also give them a chance to act on their health, which they otherwise may not have done. For businesses, there is a competitive advantage as a more health aware workforce is a more productive workforce. Businesses interested in participating in the free health check-ups for men should contact Dr Susan Shanley on 0466 904 661 or email: susan.shanley@adelaide.edu.au.