Demographic differences between women

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As well as the differences between women and men, demographic differences between groups of women affect health. Some groups of women experience greater inequalities that increase their exposure to health risks, affect their attitudes to health and reduce their ability to access health information and services. These groups include women living in rural and remote areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with disabilities, women from non-English-speaking backgrounds, and lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. Understanding the needs of these women using a social model of health, which takes into account social and environmental factors that affect health as well as sex and gender factors, allows us to continually improve the health information and services we develop. Let’s look at some key examples of how demographic differences affect particular groups of women.

Demographic differences between women

• Women living in rural and remote areas are more likely to be socially and financially disadvantaged and have less access to general practitioners (GPs), specialist health care, family planning services and counselling services. Where healthcare services are available, many women worry about accessing them confidentially because ‘everyone knows everyone’ in a country town.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have lower levels of education, lower incomes, higher rates of unemployment and a higher risk of exposure to violence than other Australian women. As a result of these and other factors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have poorer physical and mental health than other Australian women.

• Women from non-English-speaking backgrounds often have difficulty accessing health information in their own language or in accessing information or services that take their cultural needs into account.

• Women with a disability are more likely to have lower incomes and have more difficulties with transport and accessing services. They also have less daily contact with friends and family and are more likely to experience intimate partner violence. According to 2003 figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five Australian women is living with a disability that causes many challenges in her everyday life.

• Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women experience greater levels of discrimination and violence, which impact on their health and result in higher rates of depression and isolation. The fear of insensitive treatment or discrimination can be a major barrier for these women in accessing health care.