The National Women’s Health Survey 2020 BY CATHERINE MCKENNA
The Australian health system is lauded as one of the best in the developed world, providing safe and affordable healthcare for all. So, it is surprising that 15.3% of respondents to the sixth Jean Hailes for Women’s Health national survey reported they could not afford health care when they needed it. Further, 31.1% of women in rural and remote areas could not get medical appointments when they needed one. The national, not-for-profit organisation released the survey results in December 2020 providing insights into women’s health experiences, needs and behaviours. The aim of the survey is to identify emerging issues and trends and inform health promotion to best respond to the health and information needs of women. The survey sample was older and had higher levels of education compared to the general female population in Australia. Forty-eight percent of respondents were aged between 45 and 64 years, compared to the population cohort, 31.3%. Almost two-thirds of respondents held an undergraduate or higher degree, double the national figure. Two-thirds of women lived in major cities and the remainder in rural or remote areas. It is acknowledged the results are not reflective of all women. Limitations include the need to have English and computer literacy, the limited response from women of Change to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and that many respondents were likely to be health conscious and motivated to participate. Key findings include results of weight and physical activity
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