Context and aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, despite its incidence being potentially preventable through lifestyle risk modification (World Health Organization, 2017). Modification of risk factors such as smoking, nutrition, alcohol, and physical activity can reduce an individuals risk of developing CVD (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare., 2015; National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance, 2012). Over 90% of Australians have one or more CVD risk factor (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018). Two thirds of Australian adults have three or more modifiable risk factors (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare., 2015). This places them at significant risk of developing CVD as they age and represents a significant burden on our future health system.
Changing lifestyle behaviours is not easy and requires both active participation by consumers and ongoing support from health professionals (James, Halcomb, McInnes, & Desborough, in press). One group that has received limited attention around risk minimization is those in middle age, between 40-65 years. Individuals in this group may not yet have developed chronic conditions but may demonstrate lifestyle behaviours that significantly increase their future risk (National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance, 2012).
Early intervention to reduce lifestyle risk factors and slow the onset of chronic disease has benefits for improved quality of life, enhanced productivity and reduced health costs. Additionally, whilst a reduction in CVD deaths has been achieved in all age groups across Australia in recent decades, the decline in mortality has been least among the middle age groups (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare., 2010, 2014). This evidences the importance of exploring the potential for gains in the health care of this group.
This study sought to explore middle-aged Australians perceptions of health and lifestyle risk. Understanding people’s perceptions of health and lifestyle risk can advance our understanding of the choices people make about their health, enhance person-centered care and inform health policy to optimise health outcomes (Kolderup Hervik, 2016).
Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken during 2017/8 with a convenience sample of 34 Australians aged 40-65 years (mean 53 years). Interviews were transcribed by a professional transcription company and analysed using a process of thematic analysis (Braun, Clarke, & Terry, 2014).
Findings: 53% participants were male. Data revealed gender differences between participants in terms of the way that they perceived their health and lifestyle risk. Additionally, whilst some participants spoke of being very conscious of their health and risk factors, others indicated that they placed less importance on their health. Many of these participants described needing an impetus to prompt change in their health behaviours.
Participants identified a need for support and education to assist in achieving behaviour change. Although many participants spoke of the role of health professionals, such as general practitioners, they felt that they currently received limited direction or support for risk factor modification from primary care providers.
Innovative contribution to policy and practice: Middle age people are at significant risk of developing chronic conditions secondary to risky lifestyle behaviours. Understanding their perceptions of risk and health seeking behaviours can inform the development of patient-centered interventions to improve health and reduce risk in this group. This has the potential to promote patient engagement and activation and reduce the future burden of chronic disease.