The Carnarvon Health and Men Projectwas initially funded for one yea by Healthway and undertaken in collaboration with the Gascoyne Public Health Unit. The project addresses the following issues related to men’s health:
- Shorter life expectancy for men; with its corollary, higher mortality rates in specific age groups, and for specific disease conditions.
- Higher rates of injury (notably occupational injury and motor vehicle injury) among men.
- Higher rates of alcohol abuse and suicide among men.
- Higher rates of certain disease conditions among men, such as heart disease and HIV infection.
- Different patterns of use of health services, including a lower use of primary health care by men.
The first year of the project achieved noteable community involvement and important structural change in the area of men's health. Further 2 year funding for the project was obtained in 2003. However, in keeping with the long term aims of greater control with community incorportion of change the funding has been passed to the Gascoyne Public Health Unit. NDRI will continue involvement with the project as evaluation consultants.