Report Summary

Men’s health and wellbeing in the Tasman region is shaped by a range of factors, including access to health services, physical activity, social connection, work and family commitments, and opportunities to focus on wellbeing. This survey by Tasman Voice for Health shares the experiences and priorities of 87 men aged 18 and over from across the Tasman Municipality, including men from a range of locations and emergency services backgrounds.

The survey identified key health concerns including managing pain, heart health, weight and diet, physical fitness and strength, and mental health. Men also highlighted barriers to improving their health, including cost, time, transport, distance from services, limited local facilities and activities, lack of information, and difficulty fitting health and wellbeing around work and family life.

Men identified a range of opportunities to improve local health and wellbeing, including more healthy social activities, improved access to information and health services, stronger men’s groups, more preventative health support, and opportunities to make conversations about men’s health a more normal part of community life.

Key Findings

• Men identified physical and mental health as important wellbeing priorities
• Pain, heart health, weight and diet, fitness and mental health were among the key concerns
• Cost, time, transport and distance can make it harder to prioritise health
• Men want more opportunities for healthy social connection and physical activity
• Better access to local health services, information and preventative care is needed
• Men’s health conversations and wellbeing support could be made more accessible and inclusive