Advancing Health Equity for Men From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds: Outcomes From a Culturally Adapted Community Wellbeing Program

Abstract

Introduction: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities are recognised as a priority population within Australia's preventive health strategies. Community-based wellbeing programs can enhance mental and physical health, but culturally tailored approaches are essential for engaging CALD populations and reducing health inequities. Methods: Over 3 years, we worked with Vietnamese, Iraqi Syriac, and Indian men and men from the African diaspora in metropolitan Victoria to adapt an existing health education and exercise program, Sons of the West (SOTW). Guided by community consultations, the culturally adapted program (CALD SOTW) was delivered across 10 sites to 317 participants aged 19–84. Feedback was collected via open-ended surveys, focus groups, and facilitator interviews. Results: Dropout rates ranged from 0% to 33%, and retention from 17% to 95%. Cohorts with older participants and higher rates of retirement or unemployment showed greater attendance and retention. Participant feedback indicated CALD SOTW was culturally appropriate, acceptable, and contributed to positive health behaviour changes by the end of the program. Conclusions: Findings highlight barriers and enablers to participation and inform recommendations for program deliverers to effectively engage CALD men in wellbeing programs. So What?: This study demonstrates that culturally adapting community-based health programmes can improve participation and retention among men from diverse backgrounds, supporting efforts to reduce health inequities. By engaging Vietnamese, Iraqi, Syriac, Indian and African diaspora communities in Australia, it expands the limited evidence base on CALD experiences of wellbeing programmes and offers a transferable model, with practical recommendations, for programme deliverers working with diverse communities.