Next week is Men's Health Week, and it is a timely reminder that men should take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales has addressed a gathering of farmers at a Bundarra district property to launch Men's Health Week.

Senator Williams, who before entering Parliament had spent most of his working life on the land, was a member of a Senate Select Committee which conducted an inquiry into men's health issues.

"The Committee heard that each hour in Australia more than five men die from conditions that are potentially preventable. Health problems such as heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure could be detected and treated more effectively if men's awareness of these problems was greater.

Evidence showed that men make less use of health services than women, and this is confirmed by the sobering statistic that the ratio for what are termed "avoidable deaths" is 192 men for every 100 women.

The Senate committee recommended that the Federal Government investigate the feasibility of introducing a structured, comprehensive annual health check for men, but at the end of the day it is up to men to make the contact with health professionals.

Failure to do so puts a stress not only on themselves but also their families who suffer with them.

There is no better time than today to book in for a check-up as symptoms diagnosed early are far more treatable", Senator Williams said.

He also praised the role played by Men's Sheds and service organisations such as Rotary, Apex and Lions in raising awareness of men's physical and mental health issues.