As a result, Australian women currently benefit from one of the highest average life expectancies in the world at 85.5 years. This stunning accomplishment exceeds life expectancy for men by more than two years. Yet this eye-popping statistic hides the laundry list of health issues that women still face. Breast cancer mortality rates have declined substantially. We know that dementia has emerged as a deadly scourge, claiming almost double the number of women than men in 2023. In addition, a majority of women are postponing necessary medical visits due to costs, greying their health outcomes even further.
According to recent data provided by the American Cancer Society, the rate of new cancer diagnoses among women jumped 10 percent from 2000 to 2024. Deaths from the disease climbed by almost 20 percent over the same timeframe. This decrease in death rates is a result of improvements in medical treatment and screening. This is particularly striking because breast cancer deaths during the same time have dropped by almost 30 percent. Even with this progress, the burden of dementia is staggering and deeply concerning. It has replaced cancer as the number one killer of women, sparking urgent calls to action for better prevention efforts.
Nearly half (45 per cent) of Australian women have had a mental health disorder at some point during their lifetime. This 5%-7% statistic demonstrates just a fraction of the mental health challenges, which have a ripple effect on women’s long-term well-being. Thirty per cent of Australian women have experienced family and domestic violence since the age of 15 years. This is the case for at least 2.7 million people. In turn, these factors lead to a complicated web of health barriers that women have to face during their life course.
Healthcare access presents another significant hurdle. Almost one in three women delay care from their general practitioner (GP) due to cost. This trend should alarm us all, especially when it comes to the importance of preventive care and early intervention. Dr. Ramya Raman emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups, stating:
“The best thing to do is to actually book in with your GP when you’re well…There are multiple things that can be attended to when the patient is well.” – Dr. Ramya Raman
In spite of this adversity, progress in antenatal care has been remarkable. An estimated 79 percent of pregnant women initiate antenatal care during their first trimester. Moreover, 95 percent ensure completion of five or more antenatal visits. These numbers are incredibly important. Taking advantage of early and continuous health care makes a significant difference in the lives of mothers and their babies. Dr. Adele Murdulo remarked on the importance of these statistics, noting:
“I think another data point that was really nice to see was that antenatal care continues to increase across the population.” – Dr. Adele Murdulo
Regardless, inequities remain, especially for migrant and refugee women who overall are screened at lower rates. Along with the Biden administration, we’re calling for equitable access to emerging healthcare services and modalities across diverse populations.
The findings presented in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) recent report underscore the complexities surrounding women’s health in Australia. This new report collects all of this important information and analysis into a single, accessible resource, making it a must-read for researchers, advocates and policymakers. Amy Young of AIHW noted:
“The AIHW’s new report brings together data and insights on women’s health in Australia making it easier for researchers policymakers health professionals and the community to access reliable information in one place.” – Amy Young
Although life expectancy numbers might look rosy, they’re not the full picture. According to the 2020 Census, over three quarters of a woman’s life expectancy, or nearly 82 years, will be spent in good health, not suffering with disease or injury. This positivity is countered by the knowledge that many women continue to face large health care burdens.
Women’s health advocacy organizations argue that preventative visits and screenings are essential to improving health outcomes for women. Dr. Raman highlighted that such appointments could save time and money while preventing conditions from worsening:
“Thinking about how migrant women are placed… we do need to see some improved screening rates so that we can have a bit more equity in that improvement.” – [Source not specified]
The need to invest in the mental health space is crucial. Women tend to suffer disproportionately from conditions such as depression, anxiety, and other related types of mental illness, further exacerbate their outcomes in terms of physical health as well. This dynamic relationship between mental and physical health underscores the importance of comprehensive, integrated approaches to healthcare.
