Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41803742›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

A mixed methods snapshot of the Man Walk program: a community-based response to loneliness and health among older Australian men.

Nicole Snowdon, Kedir Y Ahmed, Hazel Dalton, M Mamun Huda, Subash Thapa, Mark Burns, Julaine Allan

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Nicole SnowdonRural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia. nsnowdon@csu.edu.au.
Kedir Y AhmedRural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.
Hazel DaltonRural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.
M Mamun HudaSchool of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, Australia.
Subash ThapaRural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.
Mark BurnsThe Man Walk, Kiama, NSW, Australia.
Julaine AllanRural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Man Walk is a national, community-led initiative promoting men’s mental health, physical activity, and social connection through group walks. Since its establishment in 2018, no evidence has described participant characteristics, engagement, or health outcomes. This study aimed to describe participants’ characteristics, health status, factors associated with health and wellbeing outcomes, and perceived benefits of program.

methodsA mixed methods design was used, with an online survey conducted in March and July 2025 among Man Walk participants across Australia. Measures included EQ-VAS (self-rated health), PHQ-4 (anxiety and depression), De Jong-Gierveld (loneliness), and AUDIT-C (alcohol risk). Multivariable regression models examined associations between explanatory variables and outcomes. Open-ended responses were analysed using inductive content analysis.

resultsA total of 377 men completed the survey. Most were aged ≥ 55 years (66%), partnered (77%), and residing in major cities (58%) or inner regional areas (30%). More than half (54%) reported moderate to high loneliness, and 17.5% and 14.7% reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. 31% had participated for ≥ 3 years, and 19% joined ≥ 8 walks/month. Emotional loneliness was associated with anxiety (OR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.93, 12.0), while social loneliness was associated with depression (OR = 5.70; 95% CI: 2.03, 18.8). Longer participation (≥ 3 years) predicted lower odds of depression (OR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.95). Frequent walkers (≥ 8 walks/month) had lower odds of risky drinking (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.95). The absence of chronic conditions was associated with higher self-rated health, whereas those with emotional loneliness and depression were associated with poorer self-rated health. Content analysis revealed that participants identified the program’s benefits primarily as socialisation (73.2%), followed by mental health support (26.8%) and physical health improvement (26.5%).

conclusionsThe Man Walk engages men at elevated risk of loneliness and mental distress, providing a low-cost, accessible platform for exercise, connection, and mutual support. Sustained participation appears protective against depressive symptoms and health risks. Community-led, male-focused walking initiatives represent promising, scalable strategies to enhance men’s mental health and social wellbeing.

Indexed as

Health PromotionHealth StatusLonelinessMen's HealthWalkingAgedAustraliaDepressionHumansMaleMental HealthMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesAustraliaCommunity-based interventionLonelinessMan WalkMen’s healthMental healthPhysical activitySocial connection

Identifiers

PMID41803742
PMCPMC13085283

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.