In Australia, women experience the largest burden of disease and are at a greater risk of having multiple chronic conditions. The most common chronic health conditions in women include anxiety disorders, back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease1.
An emerging, yet prevalent global chronic health phenomenon is Endometriosis, affecting 1 in 10 Australian women. Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as period and pelvic pain, fatigue and difficulty becoming pregnant.
There are a range of resources and information available for women experiencing endometriosis and other chronic conditions. For more information on and support with endometriosis check out some of these resources: Endometriosis | The Royal Women's Hospital, Endometriosis Australia and Endometriosis support group - Epworth HealthCare
There have also been a range of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics established across Australia to reduce wait times for a diagnosis and provide better care and pain management. Hear more about the initiative and find a clinic near you here. Although endometriosis is a condition that affects women, support from men is important. Abbey Lee created Men for Endo to advocate for men’s involvement in endometriosis awareness and support.
Sometimes getting help for women’s health can be a struggle from knowing where to go to cost barriers. SISTR is an organisation dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health by providing the resources and support they need to make informed decisions. They have services ranging from general health check-ups to free PCOS and fertility testing for Medicare card holders.
To bridge the gap in women’s healthcare, the Department of Health is delivering a program to change the way women’s health issues are treated. Find out more about the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Program. The program also delivers mental, physical and wellbeing support groups for women to address specific health issues. There are both online and in-person support groups that offer a space for women to openly discuss their experiences and access support. Find a support group near you here.
Women with Disabilities Victoria and Women with Disabilities Australia are organisations working towards a more inclusive society where girls, women and gender-diverse people can thrive. Check out their websites for resources, support, events and more
Chronic health conditions can impact daily life and the lives of people around us. Living with a chronic health condition can influence social relationships, work and wellbeing. Here at Connect we keep our community engaged, inspired and informed. We recently sat down with chronic health and disability advocate, Sarah Joyce, to hear her inspiring story, listen to ‘Living with Chronic Health Conditions’.
Connect supports women living with chronic health conditions and strives to showcase how we can all ConnectWell with Women’s Health.
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023