End gender bias in Australia’s healthcare system

End gender bias in Australia’s healthcare system

09 Aug 2023

Women and girls face unique challenges in Australia’s healthcare system, which can lead to poorer health results like:

  • delayed diagnosis and treatment
  • over prescribing and
  • dismissal of pain.

Gender bias in health research affects the evidence base, with data often collected from men and generalised to women.

Established in 2023, the National Women’s Health Advisory Council advises the Australian Government on ways to improve health outcomes for women, girls and people assigned female at birth. The council is now calling on women, experts and healthcare professionals to share their views in the #EndGenderBias survey, available in 17 different languages.

The survey aims to understand barriers and bias women face in the health system.

Responses can remain anonymous and be done online through text, video or audio recordings. Responders must complete demographic and screening questions first.

The council wants to hear from all Australian women, including:

  • First Nations women
  • the LGBTIQ+ community
  • migrant and refugee communities
  • women with a lived experience of disability
  • women from regional and remote areas.