A Rotary initiative is aiming to stem this alarming statistic through its Men's Health Education Rural Van (MHERV), a purpose-built caravan travelling NSW regional and rural areas testing men for signs of ill health.

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It is staffed by full-time registered nurse Robert Woolley and supported by Rotary clubs in the 60-plus NSW towns on the schedule, including Tenterfield Rotary Club.

"We all know that men are slow to go to the doctor to get something attended to that will 'go away if I put up with it for a while'," club president Skye Stapleton said.

"These are the guys who drop dead in the pub, or in the paddock, because nobody saw it coming. MHERV has many times identified a life-threatening condition, and saved someone from an early death."

The health tests are offered free of charge, with the cost met by Rotary fundraising and sponsorships. Major sponsors include the not-for-profit Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution, and NSW Government health minister Brad Hazzard  has helped with a grant to assist with setting up the project and purchasing the medical consumables that are used for the tests.

The tests are non-invasive, being for body mass, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar (diabetes). 

MHERV will be in the High Street car park (behind Foodworks at the northern side of the council administration building) from 10am to 4pm this Sunday and Monday, April 7 and 8.

After Tenterfield MHERV heads off to Ballina, followed by Tweed Heads and beyond.