Health Challenges for Women in Australia
Design four strategies likely to bring about positive change for women’s health.
Australia is a self-governing country includes six states and two territories and is one of the world’s greatest economies. Australia is the six largest country by land area. The wellbeing of women of the country ranks 17 in the world according to the New Global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index. The country has focused on the health care centres to improve the life expectancy of people. Women in Australia have better health when it’s compared to other countries. But the condition is not that pleasant as it seems. Women are facing many health issues such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Breast cancer is the most common among all. Mental health is also deteriorating. Women are also facing disorders in the case of obstetrics and gynaecology. Social determinants impact on the health of women. Strategies are also made by the government to bring positive change on the health of women. The government keeps on evaluating these strategies so that changes can be made accordingly.
The Australian government has introduced health policies like Medicare; it has helped people to manage their finance in such a way that healthcare cost can be managed. Medicare was introduced in 1984 which provides free treatment in hospitals and subsidies. Australia is in better position when it’s women health is compared to other countries. The life expectancy of Australians ranks tenth at the time of birth. Women have a higher life expectancy in Australia when it’s compared to men. It is also proved that women live almost 7 years longer than men. But other than this there are many concerns in the country related to health which are alarming.
The health challenges cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke is causing death in women. This is the common disease among all Australian women. However women tend to live more even with diseases (Palacios & Gonzalez, 2014).
There are different types of cancers also which affects women health. Breast cancer is the common cancer among them. Colon, lung and skin cancer are also affecting huge number of women. Breast cancer is more likely to be cause of death than other cardiovascular diseases (Torre, et. al., 2015).
Women are also affected by the cardiovascular disorders as well as males. It is also considered the most worried disorder by the nation. Suicide is also the cause of mental illness. A report also shows that 209.8 deaths are the reason of heart attack and vascular disease per 100000 females of the country. Obesity is also the reason behind development of heart disorders (Gulland, 2016).
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which a person takes birth, develops, lives, learn and does work. All the factors mentioned are responsible for health and safety of individuals. Important social determinants of health are poverty and socio economic status. Social determinants of health are divided in two sectors, macro level and micro level (Stenberg, et. al., 2014). Macro level helps in recognising economic system and various structures which have impact on health. Micro level helps in identifying relationship between socio economic status of women and her mental and physical health. Violence and discrimination are also the social determinants of health which affects to women. Violence takes place in many forms such as gang rape, prostitution, female genital mutilation and human trafficking. According to a study, 59% of homeless women face unwanted sex in Australia. Gender pay gap is also another important social determinant of health in Australia. Unequal pays and pay gaps results in anxiety and depression among women. Many medical insurances and community health programs are introduced by the Australian government which helps to handle different female problems. The National Health Policy was also introduced to improve the health of Australian women. The health care services in Australia are efficient and provide the best care and quality life (Fowkes, et. al., 2013).
Social Determinants of Women’s Health in Australia
Gender equality and women’s empowerment strategy: Gender equality is all about equal opportunities for both men and women. Gender inequality prevails due to discrimination found between men and women at workplace. It is a major issue in Australia. Gender equality gives equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities to women and men. It aims to address norms which constrain the performance of women and promotes economic growth. This strategy establishes three priorities; it enhances voice of women in decision making, encourages economic empowerment and ends violence. It promotes equal employment opportunities and promotes zero tolerance approach to stop violence at workplace. Women could increase their income as gender equality helps in removing gender gap.
Western Australian Women’s Health Strategy 2013-2017: This strategy aims to improve the health of western Australian women which are at most risk of poor health outcomes. These outcomes identify the need of women according to their age, psychological and economic circumstances. Women are prioritised who are at the highest risk of poor health. This strategy has a clear focus on the illness of women’s health (Hossein-nezhad & Holick, 2013). According to this strategy, cardiovascular disease causes more death of women than any other disease. It concentrates on the mental, sexual and maternal health of women. The women living in rural and remote areas are prioritised.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Strategy: The first strategy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health was launched in May 2010. This strategy was advanced by AWHN (Australian Women’s Health Network). The health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is considered poorest. AWHN identifies the social determinants of health such as culture, gender and economic conditions. This strategy focuses on the treatment for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and gynaecological problems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (Freedman & Kruk, 2014). It also includes health and education programs. It aims at development and advancement of women by leadership programs. It also provides equal opportunities for women by career advancement.
National Women’s Health Strategy 2010: This policy targets to improve the health of all women in Australia. It aims to develop the environment for better health of women. This policy has made active participation of women towards their health through giving attention to social determination of health. It also addresses the future health challenges. This policy prioritises to maintain health services and develops programs to prevent diseases. By addressing the social determinants of health, it aims to address health inequities. This strategy has made improvement in cardiovascular diseases and cancers (Arnold, et. al., 2015). It also provides resources to maintain good health. This health policy helps to fight with obesity and mental health of women. Mental health has resulted in anxiety and depression, is becoming major issue.
Co-operation framework and National gender policy provides a guide to gender equality and women empowerment strategy. This strategy aims to empower women and achieve gender equality and is feasible to use. To achieve this, qualitative methodology is employed and data collection is used as secondary source. It reduces gender disparities and violence removes the harmful effects on women (Hawkes & Buse, 2013). It is appropriate to use gender equality and women empowerment strategy as it educates women their rights and responsibilities which helps in determining outcomes and helps in decision making. Using the strategy at work place in Australia provides equal employment opportunities and eliminates violence. Zero tolerance policy helps women to save their conduct (Devries, et. al., 2013).
Healthcare Policies in Australia to Improve Women’s Health
Western Australian Women’s Health Strategy 2013-2017 is based on the social determinants of health and reflects the requirements of women according to their social, cultural and economic conditions. This strategy is used to know health conditions at different stages. This strategy is practical to use as it shows more than one risk available at a time and suggests the solution to tackle the situation. It is appropriate to use in Australia because it is the based on the poor health outcomes, aims to promote better health and further suggestions are recommended.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have the poorest health status. But fortunately National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Strategy helps to identify diseases of women. It is feasible to know women’s health strategy by considering the Australian Women Health Network. It always endorses social view and social determinants of health. It is practical to use because it meets the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It is appropriate to use the strategy because these women are suffering from breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Chang, 2016). After the implementation of strategy, condition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander came in notice and improved over a time.
National Women’s Health Strategy, 2010 was made to response the health challenges for maintaining good health. It is the guide for the next 20 years to improve the health and wellbeing of all the social women in Australia. This policy aims to improve the health of women through preventions and by focusing on social determinants of health (Manson, et. al., 2013). In Australia, this policy provides is appropriate and provides a greater opportunity to take care of health system through various policies. It also recognises the broad range of issues which going to affect health of women in near future.
Gender equality leads to growth and development. If the employment gap is closed then the income of women can be increased by 76%. It will eliminate the violence against women at workplace and in society which results in reducing gang rapes (García-Moreno, et. al., 2013). The global gross domestic product could also rise by 2 % if both men and women contributes and participates equally. It educates women who help in decision making and is going to help them in understanding their rights and responsibilities. The women who are educated are going to have better educated children which reduces burden and promotes savings.
Western Australian Women’s Health Strategy 2013-2017 is going to build and maintain health and wellbeing of women in Australia. This strategy gives assurance to women that they are safe and valued. This policy is going to address needs and experiences of women. It is going to address best opportunities available for women. In order to achieve better outcome, it highlights the priority needs (Ridker & Cook, 2013). Women with poor health are identified first. This strategy aims to maintain good health and social wellbeing in future and focuses clearly on illness and health promotion. It also recognises the key factors which are beneficial outcome for women’s health. Such strategies assure that women are safe and valued in Australia.
Gender Equality Programs to Empower Women in Australia
To evaluate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s health strategy, the government has undertaken session with women, health centres, state and central government. It establishes a health outcome of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (Ricci, 2013). A talking circle was also established to build the strategy. The work of talking circle also included meetings, telephonic discussions, and emails to share issue of Islander’s women. The voice of women will also be included in the future health policies of Australia.
The purpose of National Women’s Health Strategy, 2010 is supposed to improve the health of women in Australia especially who are at the greater risk of poor health. It promotes health by focusing on social determinants of health. Obesity, anxiety and depression are the main health issues. The health priorities are mental health, depression and suicide and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Actions are also taken by government for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (Requejo, et.al, 2015). After this, the women are going to enjoy longer life time expectancy. The policy maintains and develops health service by targeting health issues. It provides training on health care.
Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy also meets the need of modern Australia by providing better health opportunities and care towards women. Primary health care system believes to maintain a strong health care system. The government takes funding for primary health care system. It is an investment in health care system which focuses on the prevention of diseases
Conclusion
Women in Australia are suffering from many diseases, but fortunately the government is getting success to overcome diseases by making health policies. The condition of women are improving as a result of strategies implemented by the government such as gender equality and women’s empowerment strategy, national women’s health strategy 2010 and more. These policies are maintaining health and wellbeing of women. It has made active participation of women towards their health by giving attention to their health issues. The condition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has improved as it used to be in past. Health and education programs are also putting positive impact on the health of women and life expectancy has also improved over a time.
References
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