Health Status and Behaviours of Australian Farming Men

Abstract

The Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) program in Australia has been researching the state of health of farming men and women over the last six years throughout Australia's agricultural industries. Health data gathered have been instrumental in providing industry partners with insights into the current health status and relevant health issues of farming men and women. this paper focuses on the outcomes of research relative to the male cohorts and their clinical indicators over the course of the research. Male participants across varying ages and farming sectors gained information and knowledge, and received clinical assessments and intervention in the course of the research. Positive effects were experienced by male farmers of different ages and across farming industries. the qualitative and quantitative results reveal that regardless of prior attitudes, both men and women learned and changed the way they think about and act upon their health, wellbeing and safety.