You might be shocked to learn that almost a third of Australian men admit to skipping the hand wash after using the toilet. But before you despair about the state of hygiene down under, there's some genuinely good news—and it's all about your generation.
The latest research from the Food Safety Information Council has revealed some eye-opening statistics about our handwashing habits.
While 28 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women don't always wash their hands after urinating, and 13 per cent of men and 11 per cent of women skip the soap after defecating, there's a clear pattern emerging that puts older Australians firmly in the winner's circle.
Seniors are setting the hygiene gold standard
Here's the silver lining in this rather grubby cloud: seniors over 65 are significantly better at handwashing than younger generations, with 86 per cent consistently washing hands after using the toilet compared to just 69 per cent of those under 34.
Older Australians are simply the best at this fundamental health practice, with a notable improvement in habits once people hit 35, possibly due to parenthood focusing people on cleanliness.
This shouldn't come as a complete surprise. Your generation grew up with different standards around cleanliness and personal responsibility. You understand that good hygiene isn't just about personal preference—it's about community health and looking out for one another.
'Young people were less likely than older age groups to always wash their hands after going to the toilet (69 per cent under 34 years old versus 86 per cent over 65 years)'
Why the gender gap persists
The research consistently shows men lag behind women when it comes to hand hygiene, and this isn't just an Australian phenomenon.
Men are less likely than women to always wash their hands after going to the toilet (80 per cent versus 83 per cent) or before handling food (55 per cent versus 62 per cent).
Some experts suggest this stems from different socialisation around cleanliness and personal care, with boys often receiving less emphasis on hygiene habits during childhood.
Whatever the root cause, it's a pattern that persists well into adulthood—though thankfully, your age group shows the best compliance regardless of gender.
The health stakes are higher for seniors
While poor hand hygiene is concerning at any age, it's particularly important for older Australians to maintain good practices.
People's immune systems are often weakened after illness or surgery, so infections are easy to catch and can be hard to treat.
Hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, and complements other health measures like vaccination against influenza and COVID-19. For seniors who may have underlying health conditions or take medications that affect immune function, that simple 20-second hand wash becomes even more crucial.
Health risks prevented by proper handwashing
Common colds and flu
COVID-19 and other respiratory infections
Gastroenteritis and food poisoning
Healthcare-associated infections
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
COVID taught us well—but habits are slipping
There was a slight improvement in handwashing during COVID-19, but Australians now seem to be slipping back into old habits.
Professor Peter Collignon, infectious diseases physician and Senior Medical Advisor for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, notes that the vigilance around hand hygiene may have waned since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This backsliding is concerning, especially as we head into another winter season with multiple respiratory viruses circulating.
Hand hygiene should be an everyday routine habit—whether you are at home, in hospital, attending healthcare appointments or out and about in the community.
Getting the technique right
It's not just about whether you wash your hands, but how you do it. The proper technique involves wetting hands, rubbing them together with soap for at least 20 seconds including between fingers and under nails, rinsing well under running water, and drying thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds.
Effective hand drying after washing is just as important as thorough handwashing, as damp hands pick up and transfer more bacteria than dry hands and help remove any germs that may not have been rinsed off.
When to wash your hands—the essential moments
- Before handling, preparing and eating food
- After using the toilet or helping others with toileting
- After touching raw meat, fish, seafood, eggs or poultry
- After blowing your nose or helping others with tissues
- After touching pets or cleaning up after animals
- After gardening or handling soil
- Before and after caring for someone who is unwell
The community health connection
What makes this issue particularly relevant for your generation is understanding the broader implications.
Almost half of Australians admit they don't always wash their hands before handling food, which compounds the risk when combined with poor toilet hygiene.
You're already leading by example, but your influence extends beyond personal habits. Grandchildren, family members, and community connections all benefit when you model good hygiene practices and gently encourage others to follow suit.
Looking ahead
According to infectious diseases experts, practising good hand hygiene remains as important as ever and should be an everyday routine habit.
While younger Australians might be dropping the ball, your generation continues to show that good habits stick.
The research clearly shows that age brings wisdom—at least when it comes to hygiene.
You've maintained high standards throughout various health crises and social changes, proving that some lessons are worth holding onto regardless of what's trending.
As we move forward, your consistent practices serve as both protection for your own health and a powerful example for younger family members and the broader community.
In a world where basic health practices sometimes get overlooked, your generation's commitment to proper hand hygiene is genuinely something to celebrate.
What do you think has helped your generation maintain better hand hygiene habits compared to younger Australians? Have you noticed changes in hygiene standards over the years, and do you find yourself reminding younger family members about the importance of washing their hands? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Primary Source
https://www.9news.com.au/national/a...-survery/e6016bdf-70d2-4b02-828b-c8a19f792de3
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: The research continues to show gender differences as men are less likely than women to always wash their hands after going to the toilet (80 per cent of men v...
Excerpt: 28 per cent of men and 18 per cent of women don't always wash their hands after urinating
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Young people were less likely than older age groups to always wash their hands after going to the toilet (69 per cent under 34 years old versus 86 per cent over 65 ye...
Excerpt: seniors over 65 are significantly better at handwashing than younger generations, with 86 per cent consistently washing hands after using the toilet compared to just 69 per cent of those under 34
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Older Australians are best.
Excerpt: Older Australians are simply the best at this fundamental health practice, with a notable improvement in habits once people hit 35, possibly due to parenthood focusing people on cleanliness
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Once people hit 35 overall their handwashing improves. This is possibly due to parenthood focussing people on cleanliness (or that people become more ...
Excerpt: Older Australians are simply the best at this fundamental health practice, with a notable improvement in habits once people hit 35, possibly due to parenthood focusing people on cleanliness
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Hand washing | healthdirect
Cited text: People’s immune systems are often weakened after illness or surgery, so infections are easy to catch and can be hard to treat.
Excerpt: People's immune systems are often weakened after illness or surgery, so infections are easy to catch and can be hard to treat
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hand-washing
Hand washing reduces the spread of germs and saves lives | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Cited text: “While we tend to focus on hand hygiene for the prevention on the spread of superbugs, we should continue to be careful about hand hygiene to help pre...
Excerpt: Hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, and complements other health measures like vaccination against influenza and COVID-19
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au...-washing-reduces-spread-germs-and-saves-lives
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: ‘There was a slight improvement in handwashing during COVID-19 but now Australians seem to be slipping back into old habits.
Excerpt: There was a slight improvement in handwashing during COVID-19, but Australians now seem to be slipping back into old habits
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Hand washing reduces the spread of germs and saves lives | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Cited text: Professor Collignon said the vigilance of some Australians around hand hygiene may have waned since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Excerpt: Professor Peter Collignon, infectious diseases physician and Senior Medical Advisor for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, notes that the vigilance around hand hygiene may have waned since the height of the…
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au...-washing-reduces-spread-germs-and-saves-lives
Hand washing reduces the spread of germs and saves lives | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Cited text: “Hand hygiene should be an everyday routine habit—whether you are at home, in hospital, attending healthcare appointments or out and about in the co...
Excerpt: Hand hygiene should be an everyday routine habit—whether you are at home, in hospital, attending healthcare appointments or out and about in the community
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au...-washing-reduces-spread-germs-and-saves-lives
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Wet your hands and rub them together well to build up a good lather with soap for at least 20 seconds and don’t forget to wash between your fingers an...
Excerpt: The proper technique involves wetting hands, rubbing them together with soap for at least 20 seconds including between fingers and under nails, rinsing well under running water, and drying thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Rinse well under running water to remove the bugs from your hands.
Excerpt: The proper technique involves wetting hands, rubbing them together with soap for at least 20 seconds including between fingers and under nails, rinsing well under running water, and drying thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Latest report card on Aussie handwashing—blokes still need to do better! Global Handwashing Day 15 October 2024
Cited text: Dry your hands thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds.
Excerpt: The proper technique involves wetting hands, rubbing them together with soap for at least 20 seconds including between fingers and under nails, rinsing well under running water, and drying thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds
https://www.foodsafety.asn.au/topic...etter-global-handwashing-day-15-october-2024/
Preventing Infection | NHMRC
Cited text: Effective hand drying after washing your hands with soap and water is just as important as thorough hand washing. Damp hands pick up and transfer more...
Excerpt: Effective hand drying after washing is just as important as thorough handwashing, as damp hands pick up and transfer more bacteria than dry hands and help remove any germs that may not have been rinsed off
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/staying-healthy-guidelines/preventing-infection
Hand washing reduces the spread of germs and saves lives | Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Cited text: Practising good hand hygiene remains as important as ever, according to infectious diseases physician Professor Peter Collignon AM, Senior Medical Adv...
Excerpt: According to infectious diseases experts, practising good hand hygiene remains as important as ever and should be an everyday routine habit
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au...-washing-reduces-spread-germs-and-saves-lives
Seniors Discount Club
Latest Articles
-
-
-
Here's the hidden property rule change that could drain your savings overnight
- Started by Maan
- Replies: 0
-
Enduring passion shows how art can outlast any challenge: 'I'm still coming back for more'
- Started by Gian T
- Replies: 0
-
