Dr Ananya Mandal
The Gillard government is being criticized for issuing a women’s health policy without announcing more funding for struggling women’s services. This is the first national women’s health policy in 21 years that claims to ensure women “have access to the right healthcare at the right time”.
The 140 page policy was unveiled by Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, and Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, who said it would target chronic disease among women, “the greatest challenge to women’s health over the next two decades.” Also funds to the tune of $5.3 million were announced to finance a longitudinal study on women’s health. The Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, which began in 1996, has conducted follow-up health surveys with more than 40,000 Australian women. The policy said that in spite of an overall improvement in women’s health, much needed to be done for many, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The policy notes health issues such as obesity, anxiety and depression had become increasing issues for women over the past two decades.
Source: www. .news-medical.net
