National Women's Health Policy
Health policy in Australia is guided by the National Women’s Health Policy, released on 29 December 2010 by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing at the time, Nicola Roxon.
The policy identifies four major challenges, crucial to improving women’s health over the next 20 years:
- Prevention of chronic diseases through control of risk factors targeting chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer; as well as risk factors such as obesity, nutrition, physical inactivity, alcohol and tobacco consumption
- Mental health and well-being
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Healthy ageing
The policy includes these key points on heart disease:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death and the second leading burden of disease among women
- Many heart disease deaths are premature as they occur in women aged less than 84 years, which is the current life expectancy
- Programs focused on heart disease in women are featured in the chronic disease recommendations
- The Heart Foundation’s Engaging Women Strategy’s priorities and concerns are reported (see pages 43-44)
For more information and the full policy, visit the Department of Health and Ageing.