MHF mini manual makes hay at BMA Awards

The MHF's Fit for Farming mini manual has been 'Highly Commended' by the British Medical Association in its annual health publishing awards.

Fit for Farming, one of the health booklets in the style of Haynes car manuals produced by the Forum, was written for male farmers in Yorkshire by Dr Ian Banks. Funded by the Department of Health Yorkshire and Humber Regional Public Health and Social Care Group, it is also backed by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Yorkshire Rural Support Network.

The booklet was developed following discussions with groups of Yorkshire farmers to make sure that it covered the issues they are most concerned about.

Ian Banks, who is also MHF president, said: 'We are delighted that the BMA awards have recognised that the specific targeted information is what a lot of men tell us they like.

'Fit for Farming recognises that men in some industries have specific health worries and often their own ways of looking at things. We hope other areas of the country will look at producing their own editions of Fit for Farming.'

The booklet includes sections on coping with stress, accidents, being overweight, cancers and asbestosis.

• More on MHF mini-manuals available off-the-shelf or customised here.