The Big Ararat Health Study will examine the well-being of residents aged 35 or older.

There have been 160 responses to the confidential survey, which was released in December last year, but another 340 are still needed.

East Grampians Health Service is working on the survey with University NSW PhD candidate Dr Alex Gavino.

The final aim is more than 3500 surveys completed, which is 50 per cent of the population aged more than 35 in Ararat Rural City.

Participants will also have access to a free health check-up for taking part.

Dr Gavino said people who had already responded found it was a good chance to examine their own health.

“While doing the survey participants will be able to assess their own lifestyle and their own health by answering the questions,” he said.

“People who have responded said they have started thinking about their exercise and diet.

“If they opt for the health assessment they get a free blood pressure and cardiogram check as well.”

The survey takes about an hour to complete and can be picked up from Ararat Regional Library, East Grampians Health Service, the Ararat Fitness Centre and Ararat Post Office.

There is no closing date for the survey, but the health service wants to receive 500 responses by April.

Completing the survey will provide an ongoing snapshot of health in Ararat, not just a look at how healthy residents older than 35 are now.

Dr Gavino said it will allow the health service to create a database of the Ararat population.

“It is not only my research that will be answered but other serious questions, which might be interesting to researchers and staff here at the health service, and others from the University NSW, will also be looked at.

“It is an open survey, there is no closing date yet, but we are hoping to get a good number of respondents by April.”