Farming can be physically demanding, however with the increased use of machinery and technology it is no longer the active occupation it once was. Looking after your health is important for you, your family and your business. Can you afford to risk time off because of a serious illness or injury?

Key points

• The healthy lifestyle often associated with farming is largely a myth. In general, people living outside major cities are more likely to engage in behaviours associated with poorer health.
• Around 75 per cent of Australians aren’t getting enough exercise to meet their recommended daily requirements. A lack of physical activity is the fourth leading cause of disease in Australia.
• An active person is less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, have a stroke or get certain types of cancers.
• Regular moderate activity can make a difference to your personal health. Participate in physical exercise that raises your heart rate for 30 minutes each day.
• Get a check-up from your trusted health professional annually. 

Being active every day is vital to maintain a healthy body and mind, however, many rural people are not active enough and often struggle to include exercise in their daily routine. In fact, compared to people in major cities, those in regional and remote areas are less likely to report very good or excellent health, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Rural populations show a significantly higher burden of the major factors that contribute to disease, in particular, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and smoking. All of these factors link to major disease and lead to a lower life expectancy for people in regional and remote areas.

Maintaining a healthy body weight and being active decreases your risk of serious health conditions such as: 

• diabetes; 
• heart disease; 
• some cancers; 
• mental health problems; and 
• musculoskeletal aches and pains.

The good news is that you can take control and help prevent some of these health issues.

For more information, download the fact sheet from the download links below.

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