“I have to ask to be included…” research report
“I have to ask to be included…” research report
1/03/2022
Women’s Health Matters has released our research report “I have to ask to be included…”, which focuses on the health and wellbeing of women with disabilities in the ACT.
The report shows that women with disabilities have poorer self-rated physical and mental health than the general population of women in the ACT, and experience significant barriers to getting services they need. These barriers include affordability, appointment availability and wait times, as well as challenges with transport, caring responsibilities, physical access needs, and the lack of ongoing, affordable options for preventative care and activities.
Vivien Bevan, Interim CEO at Women’s Health Matters, says that the information collected from this report will be key in helping to advocate for better health outcomes for these women.
“Around 15% of women with disabilities rated their physical health as good or excellent in this study, compared with 58% of women in our 2018 general survey by Women’s Health Matters.
“Mental health also emerged as a significant issue with half of all respondents listing their mental health as one of their top health concerns.
Troublingly, fewer than half of those who listed mental health as a top health concern had professional services or support to help with this issue”, said Ms Bevan.
Women’s Health Matters intends for the report to inform key government initiatives that impact women with disabilities’ health and wellbeing.
“It is hoped that the report will be a key resource for the ACT Government in developing the ACT Disability Health Strategy. The report highlights important opportunities to improve systems that are often inaccessible and discriminatory towards women with disabilities”.
The report makes 10 recommendations to improve local supports and services for women living with disability, across areas including mental health, health technology such as telehealth, sexual and reproductive health, health information, maternity and parenting, and employment.
Women’s Health Matters advocates for anyone in the ACT who identifies as a woman, especially those who are experiencing disadvantage.
Contact for Interviews
Women’s Health Matters
E: admin@womenshealthmatters.org.au
P: 02 6290 2166
