MPHN seeks to understand health needs of males in the Murrumbidgee

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is seeking feedback on the specific health needs of males across the Murrumbidgee region to incorporate into its updated Health Needs Assessment (HNA) for the Murrumbidgee region.

MPHN will be gathering community feedback through two online surveys – one two-question and one in-depth community surveys.

Senior Manager Population Health Planning and Data Dr Jason Bennie said males are currently under-represented in existing survey data.

“Our HNA refresh is done annually to identify emerging health needs for our communities and is used to help us plan to address these needs into the future. Since this survey commenced in 2019, only 15.3 per cent of respondents have been males. This year we are hoping to hear from more males, as this information is vital for our future planning,” Dr Bennie said.

“The surveys are easy to complete, confidential and while we are encouraging males to complete the survey, they do provide an opportunity for all community members to share their views and experiences and help guide positive improvements for health and wellbeing in the Murrumbidgee region.”

MPHN’s Community Advisory Committee Chair, Garth Hungerford said he was surprised at the lower number of responses to the survey last year and was encouraging fellow males to have their voices heard.

“It is really important MPHN receives views on health from a diverse range of people, and male opinions on what is working well, and what needs improvement provides valuable insights,” Mr Hungerford said.

“I am certainly encouraging males of all ages to take 10 minutes to complete the longer form community feedback survey, or if you don’t have that much time, consider the two-question HNA mini survey. Your thoughts, opinions and ideas matter, and this is a perfect way to help improve health in our communities.”

Visit www.mphn.org.au/hna to submit your feedback.