New expert panels will advise the federal government on future policy making in women’s health.
The panels, chaired by Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White, will include clinicians, researchers, advocates and women with lived experience of certain health conditions.
The panels will replace the current National Women’s Health Advisory Council in advising on priority areas of women’s health.
“The National Women’s Health Advisory Council has made a significant contribution to advancing women’s health policy and helping to identify the barriers women continue to face,” White said on Tuesday.
“I want to thank all Council members for their time, expertise and dedication and to acknowledge the leadership of the previous Assistant Minister for Health, Ged Kearney, for establishing and guiding this work.”
White said the new approach was a “natural next step” in the government’s commitment to improving women’s health.
“There are conditions that disproportionately impact women, these panels will be instrumental in examining what the Albanese government can do to improve the quality lives of Australian women and importantly their health outcomes, beginning with cardiovascular disease,” White said.
The first expert panel will look at cardiovascular disease, White said, noting it’s the leading cause of death and illness in Australian women.
More expert panels will commence during this term of government.
The National Women’s Health Advisory Council will be consulted annually about progress on implementation of the government’s $573 million Women’s Health package.
The news comes after Victoria released a new report based on its landmark inquiry into women’s pain. It found women’s pain is too often ignored, dismissed or minimised in Australia’s healthcare system.
Feature image: Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White.