As a Practice Nurse I have contact with all groups accessing primary care. Women access primary care more frequently than men due to their role within the family, maternity care, and existing screening services targeting women's health (Wall & Owen, 2002). A practice audit (Appendix 1) has shown a similar result locally. Men are reticent about accessing health care on both their own and their family's behalf, and are also less likely to discuss health concerns with their peers (Annandale & Hunt, 2000). Men's health is a neglected area of research with most attention focused on young men and the elderly (Sharpe et al, 1996). Therefore to address the disparity in gender use of the health service, and to highlight the health needs of middle-aged men, the target group to be the focus of this assignment is men between the ages of 35 to 54 years.

Target group profile and characteristics

A health profile of the...