Research highlights struggle for good health outcomes in rural areas
According to Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network’s Rural Health New Zealand Snapshot 2024, those in rural areas have poorer health outcomes than those in urban areas.
The health and wellbeing initiative has been a feature at the event for the past five years now and is an important pit stop for visitors every year.
Fieldays works with Mobile Health to bring together a range of health experts and organisations in one area. Visitors can receive health advice and a range of checkups including blood pressure checks, blood sugar level testing, hepatitis C testing, and skin cancer spot checks among others.
In 2021, participants in the hub gave over 722 free blood pressure checks, 334 kidney health checks and 673 skin spot checks, of which 54 were found to be suspicious and needed further testing. Participants in the hub can also connect visitors with support networks across the country for various health conditions.
Ensuring that rural communities have the same health and wellbeing opportunities as those that live in urban areas has always been a cornerstone for the NZ National Fieldays Society, says chief executive Peter Nation.
“It can be difficult to get people from our farming and rural communities in to see medical professionals and that’s an issue that we really focus on when building this hub each year,” he says.
Nation says they have increased its size this year because there is so much interest in the information and checkups you can get.
“We’re so pleased to see such a huge amount of interest from our visitors, and we’re thrilled that the Hub has such a large footprint.
“Part of the growth is due to an increase in the Neurological section of the Hub, which sees several organisations situated together to focus on this key Health issue.
“Too often we hear these stories of people in our rural communities not taking the time to see a doctor or health professional because they live so remotely or are too busy on the farm, to take time out to get medical advice.
“We believe that the most important asset on any farm are the people that work on it. So don’t miss this opportunity this year. Make sure you’re farm fit and get a check-up at Fieldays.
“We suspect you will always make time for a WOF or service for your vehicles, now this is your turn for a WOF. We suspect quite a few our valued exhibitors may also take this opportunity to have a quick checkup.”
The Fieldays Hauora Taiwhenua Health and Wellbeing Hub is a onestop shop for everything related to physical and mental health and wellbeing.
