Australian women have been invited to join in the nation’s first ever call to share their experiences in the country’s health system to better inform policy development and improve health outcomes for women and girls.
Being conducted Australia-wide by the Federal Government the community consultation project is to understand the personal experiences of bias in a health system survey with anyone able to take part, including patients, health providers, researchers and other stakeholders.
To be used for the National Women’s Health Advisory Council’s advice and recommendations to Government, the survey encourages participants to report about their delayed diagnosis; over medicating; dismissal of pain or symptoms; or a lack of research and evidence being used to treat women.
Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said she had heard from women across the country and every one of them had a story – “but nobody has ever asked them to tell it”.
Ms Kearney said it was unacceptable that conditions that affect mostly women often go under-researched, undiagnosed or untreated.
“And when it comes to conditions that affect everyone, we often lack the knowledge of how it might affect women’s bodies and physiology,” Ms Kearney said.
“I have heard from women across the country since we started this work, and I want to thank every woman who has told me their story,” she said.
“Now I want to hear from you.”
She said: “We can’t fix what we don’t know, and this is the critical next step in helping us understand people’s experiences.”
Ms Kearney said she encouraged anyone who experienced or witnessed gender bias in the health system to take part, particularly people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to share their experiences in their own language.
According to the organisers there are many unique challenges confronting women, including those who are part of diverse communities like LGBTIQ people and who have led to poorer health outcomes.
She said the Advisory Council was looking at opportunities to address gender bias in the health system across four priority areas: Safety; Research; Access, care and outcomes; and Empowerment.
She said the Australia-wide community consultation had begun to project to understand the personal experiences of bias in the health system.
“Anyone can take part, including patients, health providers, researchers and other stakeholders.
“From delayed diagnosis, over medicating, dismissal of pain or symptoms, or a lack of research and evidence being used to treat women.”
The consultation closes on 13 October and to take part in the National Women’s Health Advisory Council’s event, access the entry at this PS News link.
