Women’s Health Week 2018
This week is Women’s Health Week and it is time to focus on promoting health for all women and talking about some useful healthcare approaches to help them achieve optimum health and fulfilment.
Here’s some important facts to start off, just to get the cogs turning a bit:
– In 2014–15, only 46% of women aged 18–64 completed sufficient weekly exercise
– Almost 6 in 10 women in Australia (56%) were overweight or obese
– Cancer posed the largest disease burden, followed by musculoskeletal conditions and cardiovascular disease.[1]
When looking at these figures it is evident that there are some concerning trends in health promotion and disease prevention for women. But reassuringly, there are plenty of services available to help women manage their health and get themselves back on track.
The most important thing to do is just to get started! Have a conversation with your GP or allied healthcare professional and ask them what they can do to help.
At Melbourne Osteohealth, we combine the skills of Osteopaths and Exercise Physiologists, offering premium evidence-based approaches for pain management, musculoskeletal health and optimal fitness.
Something else that warrants discussion this week – there are many health issues affecting women that are stigmatised, awkward, and left unaddressed. Women’s health can be complex and multifactorial, and it is often the case that a number of conditions are intertwined. Hormonal balance, inflammatory profiles, musculoskeletal health and mental health all interact to create a unique condition for each and every woman. A well-coordinated and individualised approach will always get the best results.
The two biggest barriers to women maintaining a healthy lifestyle are ‘lack of time’ and ‘health not being a priority
If you have concerns about your health and well-being but don’t know where to start, talk to one of our healthcare professionals and find out what services there are for you. If you – like many women – have been finding it difficult to prioritise your health and find time to start making some positive changes, this is the week to start making some changes! We have male and female staff to choose from, and we will always do our best to cater to your needs and preferences.
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[1] “The health of Australia’s females.” 2017. AIHW. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men-women/female-health/contents/who-are