Launch of Centre to improve health and wellbeing of farming communities

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) was officially launched by Premier John Brumby in Hamilton today (Friday 10 July).

The NCFH is a new health initiative by Deakin University'sMedical School and the Western District Health Servicewith funding support from the Helen and Geoff Handbury Trust and the Victorian Government's Future Farming Strategy.

The Dean of Deakin's Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences, Professor John Catford, said the NCFH is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of farming communities throughout Australia.

"The Centre complements the work of Deakin University's teaching and research programs in tackling the health needs of rural and regional communities," Professor Catford said.

"Through the excellent partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin's new Medical School, the Centre is working on solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of farmers, farm employees and their families across Australia. We are very optimistic that we can make a difference."

The work of the Centre is focused on five areas:

NCFH director, Clinical Associate Professor Sue Brumby, said the Centre signifies a new era in farmer health.

"Research is showing that the health and wellbeing of people in rural areas, including farming communities, is lower than those living in metropolitan areas. Through the NCFH we will work closely with communities to turn this around," Associate Professor Brumby said.

"Work undertaken by the NCFH since commencement in January 2009 includes undertaking health assessments of more than 100 dairy farmers, organising Sustainable Farm Families programs for rural communities in every state of Australia, initiating a number of research studies, and commencing the design of new education programs for health professionals.

"The Centre has also got off to a flying start with the appointment of four professional staff and a doctoral research student as well as the establishment of a number of planning committees to ensure the best possible advice is available."