Proceedings
Healthy Lifestyles – are Rural men Getting the Message?
O'Hehir B~~Scotney E~~Anderson G
This proceeding discusses possible reasons for why rural Australian men have an unhealthy lifestyle. Stressors specific to this population, including physical isolation & financial fluctuations, are presented. A study is included which assessed awareness of these stressors on rural males & health-related education of rural men & women. 13% of male respondents admitted to having contemplated suicide at some time in their lives & 67.9% acknowledged symptoms of depression. These results support the generally high rate of suicide among rural Australian males. (SC)