The Federal Government has today begun moves to develop the nation's first men's health policy.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon has released a discussion paper and announced consultations will be held across the country over the next 12 months.

Ms Roxon says there is a need to raise awareness of preventable problems and address some resistance among men to seeking treatment.

"There are specific health challenges which we are determined to help men tackle," she said.

"This is a way to engage men in looking after their health, getting them to visit their doctor more regularly, to encourage men to think about looking after their own bodies in a way that they often think about looking after their car."