Characterizing the Health of Older Rural Australians Attending Rural Events: Implications for Future Health Promotion Opportunities

Tracy L. Schumacher, Laura Alston, Luke Wakely, Rachel Latter, Kelly Squires, Susan Heaney and Leanne J. Brown
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Tracy L. Schumacher: Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia
Laura Alston: Research Department, Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3707, Australia
Luke Wakely: Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia
Rachel Latter: St. George Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
Kelly Squires: Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia
Susan Heaney: Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia
Leanne J. Brown: Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: This paper describes the health of older Australians (>65 years) attending rural events to inform health promotion interventions for rural populations. This cross-sectional study collected survey data and objective health measures between 2017 and 2020 at two events held in rural New South Wales, Australia. Participants included in the analysis were adults > 65 years of age. Data included demographic and health information, anthropometric measures (height, weight, waist circumference), and dietary and physical activity data. A total of 256 people > 65 years participated. Our sample, which was mostly male (59.0%), contained people aged between 66 and 75 years (72.3%). Participants lived in either a large rural (34.0%) or small rural town (22.3%), with low levels of education (60.9% did not complete high school). Dietary quality was rated as below average. All but 17.2% of the participants reported having a health condition. The risk of a health condition was associated with increasing age, lower education, and higher waist circumference, but not remoteness. Rural events may provide an opportunity to access, engage with, and understand the health of older rural Australians, especially males. They may offer ideal contexts for health and nutrition promotion opportunities in rural areas where access to health professionals is limited.

Keywords: rural health; nutrition; health promotion; health status; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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