The effects of gender and age on health related behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers represent the greatest global health threat. Greater insight into health needs and beliefs, using broad community samples, is vital to reduce the burden of chronic disease. This study aimed to investigate gender, age, screening practices, health beliefs, and perceived future health needs for healthy ageing. METHODS: Random probability sampling using self-completion surveys in 1456 adults residing in Australia. RESULTS: Screening behaviors were associated with gender and age. Men and women >51 years were more likely (27%) to have screening health checks than those <50 years (2%). Factors nominated to influence health were lifestyle (92%), relationships (82%), and environment (80%). Women were more likely to nominate preparedness to have an annual health check, willingness to seek advice from their medical practitioner and to attend education sessions. Numerous health fears were associated with ageing, however participants were more likely to have a financial (72%) rather than a health plan (42%). More women and participants >51 years wanted information regarding illness prevention than men or those aged <30 years. CONCLUSION: Age and gender are associated with health related behaviors. Optimal health is perceived as a priority, yet often this perception is not translated into preventative action. These findings will inform future research and policy makers as we strive towards a healthier ageing society and the prevention of chronic disease.

Thriving in older age: A national survey of women in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the mental and physical self-reported health of community-based women in Australia aged 50 years and over, and ascertain factors associated with better physical and emotional health. STUDY DESIGN: A national, anonymous, online survey of women aged 18 years and above living in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Factors associated with better physical and mental health among women aged ≥50 years. RESULTS: Of the 10,620 women who completed the survey, 4947 (46.6%) were aged 50 years or over. More than half (60.1%) reported being in "excellent" or "very good" overall health. While almost 40% had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety by a medical doctor or a psychologist at some time in their life, almost all (89.4%) had low levels of current anxiety. Factors significantly associated with good overall health were being in paid employment, partnered, "about the right weight", and doing at least 2.5 h of physical activity per week. Better lifelong (never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety) and current mental health were both associated with older age, being in paid employment, being partnered, being in good overall health, doing at least 2.5 h of physical activity per week, and using less health care (<5 visits to the doctor in the previous year). CONCLUSIONS: The findings that regular exercise and workforce participation were associated with better physical and mental health in this growing population can inform future targeted interventions to increase physical activity levels and support the retention of older women in the workforce.

Development of a health promotion programme to improve awareness of factors that affect fertility, and evaluation of its reach in the first 5 years.

Awareness among people of reproductive age about the factors that influence fertility and reproductive outcomes, including medically assisted reproduction outcomes, is generally low. To improve awareness about the potentially modifiable factors that affect fertility and reproductive outcomes, 'Your Fertility', a fertility health promotion programme funded by the Australian Government, was established in 2011. This paper describes the development and evaluation of the reach of the Your Fertility programme from its inception in 2011 to June 2016. Systematically recorded outcomes for the programme's key focus areas and Google Analytics data were collated. Key achievements include developing and maintaining an internationally renowned website that experiences high growth and demand for fertility-related information; by 2016, over 5 million users had viewed more than 10 million webpages, and over 96,000 users had engaged in programme messages across social media. Programme messages have reached more than 4 million Australian social media users, and a potential audience of 150 million through media coverage across more than 320 media features. More than 4200 education and health professionals have completed online learning modules, and external partnerships have been established with 14 separate organizations. Data collected over 5 years indicate that the Your Fertility programme meets a need for targeted, evidence-based, accessible fertility-related information.

Knowledge about factors that influence fertility among Australians of reproductive age: a population-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To explore knowledge about the effects on fertility of age, obesity, smoking, and timing of intercourse among Australians of reproductive age. DESIGN: Telephone survey of a representative sample of Australians. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Australians aged 18 to 45 years who wish to have a child or another child now or in the future. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Knowledge about the effect on fertility of age, obesity, smoking, and timing of intercourse. RESULT(S): A total of 462 interviews were conducted. The majority of respondents underestimated, by about 10 years, the age at which male and female fertility starts to decline. Only one in four correctly identified that female fertility starts to decline before age 35, and one in three identified that male fertility starts to decline before age 45. Most (59%) were aware that female obesity and smoking affect fertility, but fewer recognized that male obesity (30%) and smoking (36%) also influence fertility. Almost 40% of respondents had inadequate knowledge of when in the menstrual cycle a woman is most likely to conceive. CONCLUSION(S): Considerable knowledge gaps about modifiable factors that affect fertility were identified. These are targeted in a national education campaign to promote awareness of factors that influence fertility.