Men's health promotion in waiting rooms: an observational study

Thesis Statement

Men experience poorer health outcomes than females and gender specific targeted health promotion needs to adequately address this gender bias.

Methodology

This prospective observational study audited all printed health promotional materials in all health facility waiting rooms within a defined geographic region. A total of 24 sites were surveyed which included general practice centres, community health centres and hospitals. The surveyed health literature included posters, brochures, and booklets.

Results

There were 1143 health materials audited across the sites. Of these, 3.15% (n = 36) were male-specific literature, 15.31% (n = 175) were female specific health literature and 81.54% (n = 932) were gender neutral. Literature which had a gendered focus was overwhelmingly female to male with a ratio of approximately 5:1.

Conclusions and Implications

This research highlighted that despite the known outcomes of lower male life expectancy and higher burden of disease, male specific literature is significantly under-represented within health facility waiting spaces. There remains potential for health clinicians to provide targeted male health education and thereby improve male health literacy.

Key messages

Men's health both within Australia and globally remains under-represented despite lower health expectancy and higher burden of disease. Health facilities ought to actively control the health promotion messaging to vulnerable population groups.