Men's Health and Social Determinants

We set to advance our understanding of the diverse social determinants impacting men's health. By exploring topics like caregiving, loneliness, intimate partner violence, healthcare access, and the intricate web of social, dietary, and sleep factors, these projects offer valuable insights that can inform the development of targeted interventions, policies, and practices aimed at improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of Australian men across their lives. These proposals delve into crucial aspects of men's social experiences and their complex effects on health outcomes, offering valuable insights for informing interventions and improving well-being. As research progresses, a clearer picture of the connections between men's social experiences and health outcomes will emerge, paving the way for a healthier and more fulfilling future for generations of men. Example projects include 1. Men as Caregivers: Navigating Social Connections This project investigates the understudied topic of men's informal caregiving roles and their impact on social isolation, support, and loneliness. By tracking changes before and after taking on caregiving responsibilities, the study aims to uncover potential challenges and inform support systems for men in these roles. 2. Loneliness and Healthcare: A Longitudinal Journey This research delves into the longitudinal trajectories of loneliness in men and its potential association with increased healthcare use. Understanding how loneliness unfolds over time and its potential consequences for healthcare use can inform strategies to proactively support men's well-being and reduce healthcare burdens. 3. Social Connections across the Ages: A Life-Course Perspective This comprehensive project examines the interconnectedness of social isolation, support, and loneliness in men, considering variations across different age groups. It also seeks to identify factors associated with these trajectories, offering a deeper understanding of men's social experiences throughout life. 4. Beyond the Usual Suspects: Intimate Partner Violence and Men's Health This research expands the scope of social determinants by exploring intimate partner violence (IPV) as a critical factor impacting men's health. It investigates both victimisation and perpetration of IPV and their potential links to socialisation, well-being, and cardiovascular disease, challenging traditional victim narratives and informing men's health interventions. 5. Healthcare Access and Quality in Self-Reported Stroke and Heart Disease This project focuses on the often-overlooked area of healthcare access and quality as a social determinant of cardiovascular health in men. It explores the impact of factors like access to healthcare services and health literacy on self-reported stroke and heart disease, offering insights for improving healthcare accessibility and addressing disparities in men's health outcomes. 6. The Social Web of Wellbeing: Unraveling the Interplay of Social, Dietary, and Sleep Factors This research recognizes the complex interplay between socialisation (loneliness, isolation, low support), diet, sleep, and mental health in men. It investigates the association of socialisation variables with well-being and mental health service utilization, considering diet and sleep as potential mediators, offering a holistic understanding of how social factors influence men's mental and physical health. Data source: The Ten to Men Study: A Powerful Lens on Men's Health Launched in 2013, the Ten to Men study follows a diverse cohort of nearly 16,000 boys and men across Australia. Through four data collection waves spanning from 2013 to 2022, the study captures their health, lifestyle, and social factors, providing a comprehensive picture of men's experiences across life stages. This rich data set represents a powerful tool for researchers to explore the nuanced connections between social determinants and men's health outcomes.