The National Women's Health Strategy recognises there are a range of health needs, risks and influences experienced by women at different stages of life. It is important to focus on investing in awareness and education, health interventions, service delivery and research at these key stages to maximise physical, mental and social health at every age.
There are a number of critical life points experienced by women and girls, such as puberty, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause that can result in poor mental health.
(Department of Health, 2018, p. 35)
The Strategy outlines key health risks and issues for women and girls in Australia. It highlights the range of factors, such as biomedical, behavioural, social, economic and environmental influences, that contribute to health outcomes; and key health inequities such as access to services, health literacy, stigma and gender inequality, that are experienced by many women and girls.
The federal strategy recognises experience post-traumatic stress and eating disorders at higher rates than men.
- In the past 12 months, 24.6% of females experienced a mental disorder, compared with 18.3% of males surveyed during 2020-22.
- In 2020-22, females were more likely than males to have experienced an anxiety disorder in the past 12 months (21.1% of females compared to 13.3% of males).
… A variety of situations typically associated with women can lead to anxiety and depression. These include infertility and perinatal loss, being a primary care giver, relationship breakdowns, violence or abuse, discrimination, unemployment or under-employment, isolation and socioeconomic disadvantage.
(Department of Health, 2018, p. 35)
Five Priority Areas
Maternal, sexual & reproductive health
Healthy ageing
Chronic conditions & preventative health
Mental Health
Health impacts of violence against women and girls