Today we recognise International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024. IWD is a day dedicated to imagining a gender-equal world, where all female-identifying people enjoy lives free from discrimination. At WholeLife, while we recognise today’s significance, we also acknowledge the incredible achievements women make every single day and, unfortunately, the barriers that continue to impact them disproportionately. This year’s IWD theme is Inspire Inclusion, and in the context of health we’re using this as an opportunity to discuss the importance of empowering women to make informed decisions about their health and bodies.
Despite some progress, Australian women continue to face a myriad of unique challenges regarding their health and wellbeing.
- 43% of women in Australia have, or will, experience mental illness in their lifetimes
- Eating disorders such as anorexia, are up to three times higher amongst young Australian women than their male counterparts
- Women are less likely than men to receive appropriate treatment for heart disease, and symptoms of heart attack are less likely to be recognised in women than in men
- One in two women are likely to be diagnosed with heart disease by the time they turn 85
- Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, impacting 1 in 7 women
- Lung cancer rates in women are increasing, despite decreases in the numbers of men diagnosed with lung cancer
- Women are more likely to experience family and intimate partner violence
Recently, pain has also come to the fore as a key area of concern for women. Our health system has habitually dismissed women’s pain, often taking it less seriously than men’s. This gender bias can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and a prolonged struggle for women seeking relief from health concerns like endometriosis. In Victoria, Australia, this issue has prompted a government-led inquiry, investigating the systemic issues women face when attempting to access support for their pain. Research like this is critical if we are to work towards minimising the barriers that preclude women from living their best lives.
Government and political action to curtail the discrepancies between men’s and women’s experiences of health will form a crucial component of the progress that still needs to be made. However it is also worthwhile to consider how we can make change at the community level. WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods believes in fostering a supportive environment where women can access accurate information, consult with healthcare professionals who listen and understand, and take charge of their own well-being. We are committed to being part of the solution, and we strive to cultivate spaces where women feel heard, valued and supported in their unique health journeys. Our pharmacists, nutritionists and naturopaths are here to provide information, answer questions, and offer guidance to help women make empowered decisions about their health.
On IWD and beyond, it is crucial to advocate for policy changes and community-level reforms that address gender biases in healthcare. Encouraging open conversations about women’s health, supporting research on gender-specific medical issues, and inspiring inclusivity in medical education are steps we can take to build more equitable healthcare systems.
WholeLife wishes everyone a Happy IWD, and looks forward to a brighter, more inclusive, empowered future for all!
REFERENCES
Australian Government Department of Health (2023) ‘National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030’, Australian Government Department of Health. <https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-womens-health-strategy-2020-2030>.
Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (n.d.) ‘National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality – Discussion Paper’, Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. < https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/national-strategy-achieve-gender-equality-discussion-paper/current-state/health#:~:text=At%20all%20stages%20of%20life,mental%20health%20at%20higher%20rates>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) ‘Deaths in Australia’, Australian Government. < https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-deaths/deaths-in-australia/contents/leading-causes-of-death>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) ‘The health of Australia’s females’, Australian Government. < https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/how-healthy>.
The Bulimia Project (2022) ‘Anorexia Statistics – Gender, Race & Socioeconomics’, The Bulimia Project. <https://bulimia.com/anorexia/statistics/#:~:text=Women%20have%20anorexia%20at%20rates,some%20point%20in%20their%20lifetime.>.
Kolovos B (2024) ‘Australian-first inquiry into women’s pain launched as Victoria seeks to tackle ‘shame and stigma’, The Guardian. < https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/22/australia-first-womens-pain-inquiry-victoria-chronic-illness>.
Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation (2023) ‘Top 5 Women’s Health Concerns in Australia’, Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation. <https://powhf.org.au/2023/09/19/top-5-womens-health-concerns-in-australia/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Australian%20Bureau,diseases%20(AIHW%2C%202022).>.