Quiz > News Oct 06 > FAQs

Frequently asked questions

 

 

Why is wellbeing important for me?

Health as defined by the World Health Organisation is 'a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

Research from around the world suggests that women view health in a holistic way - one which encompasses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and cultural aspects of wellbeing. Women are active participants in maintaining their own health, the health of other family members and the wellbeing of the communities in which they live.

So emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing are about understanding the connection between your mind, your body and your health, building up your health knowledge and building on your strengths so that you may make better decisions about how you choose to live your life.

See About Wellbeing

What is attitude all about?

Attitude plays a central role in coping with your journey through life. Body image and self-esteem are the basic building blocks of each person’s attitude in life. For most women and men you need to feel you look your best to feel good. Adjusting to your inner self and accepting what you can and cannot change is a challenge, but it can be done.

See Attitude

What do you mean by lifestyle?

Life is all about finding balance in your particular circumstances. Developing a clear sense of purpose and balance in your life needs thought and review over time. Lifestyle issues are relevant to wellbeing of women at every life stage from adolescence to midlife and beyond.

See Lifestyle

What role does emotion play in my health?

Understanding your emotions in the many changing phases of your life is not a simple task. On some days you may be able to cope with the stresses, strains and challenge of life but for other days, it's a struggle. For women in particular, hormone levels may have an effect on mood and wellbeing.

See Emotion

How can physical activity improve my health?

Building a stronger body and improving fitness will help you cope better with everyday life. At just about any stage in your life you can become active and remain active longer. Activity, particularly simple, weight-bearing physical activity, helps to maintain muscle and bone strength throughout your life and helps protect you from many health problems.

See Activity

Why is nutrition important for health?

The best way to prepare for a long and healthy life is to get in the habit of eating a tasty, varied diet. Including plenty of ‘colourful’ vegetables, cereals, grains, rice and fruits as well as protein from meat, fish, soy or legumes helps to prevent many of the diseases women face during their middle and later years of life.

See Nutrition

What do you mean by understand your health?

Keeping healthy is all about being physically active, eating a variety of nutritious, tasty foods and developing a good understanding of your own body. Regular checks can help you manage your health. The more you are familiar with how your body works, what is considered normal and abnormal, the better you will be able to identify early any potential health challenges and take action.

See Understand your health

What is important to a woman's health?

1. Cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is a disease of either the heart or major blood vessels (arteries) supplying the heart, brain or other parts of the body. In Australia it is the number one killer of both men and women.  After 40 years of age women have a 1 in 3 chance of having heart disease.

See Cardiovascular disease in women

 

2. Bone health.

Maintaining bone health is a life long pursuit and particularly important for women following menopause. Most women also need to eat a calcium rich diet and other key ingredients such as Vitamin D, as well as regular weight-bearing exercise, brisk walking, running, or weight training, to support bone health.

See Osteoporosis  Physical activity throughout the years

 

3. Hormones.

Having a balanced, nutritious diet and at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day may help women cope better with premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Apart from hormone therapy if indicated (and chosen with advice from your health professional) to help through menopause, natural therapies are another option.

See Midlife and menopause  PMS Complementary Therapies 

 

4. Breast health.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in Australian women. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. Mammograms are available free of charge to Australian women over 50 years.

See Breast Health

 

5. Emotional health.

Stress occurs when we feel threatened or cannot cope with a situation. Learning how to reduce stress will certainly benefit both your emotional wellbeing and physical wellbeing. Increase your activity, if possible. Walking is a particularly good way of alleviating stress because activity increases the flow of chemicals in the body called endorphins, which improve mood.

See Attitude  Lifestyle  Emotion

 

6. Balanced nutrition.

Over time our dietary requirements do change. Understanding these changes is the first step in establishing and maintaining your own healthy and comfortable weight. Eat a balanced diet with low-fat protein sources, whole grains, plenty of fruits and colourful vegetables. Eat less of salt, sugar and alcohol.

See Nutrition

How can I unlock the key to my health?

Women are faced with a number of health issues throughout their lives. Decisions may need to be made concerning issues to do with sexuality and relationships, maintenance of health in the longer term and specific prevention of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Gathering information, thinking about options, knowing what it is you value and attuning yourself to all that you have learned about your body will help you make decisions that are appropriate for you.

Gathering information and talking with your health practitioner can assist you in making an informed decision. 

Choosing a health practitioner 

Developing a partnership with your health practitioner will depend on a level of trust that insists on mutual respect; clear communication and shared responsibility. 

While it may take time and effort to establish this partnership, in the end it will be in your best interests to choose carefully. When choosing a health practitioner you could take into account their expertise; how accessible they are (eg location, appointment times and fees); their ability to listen, empathise and communicate skilfully and their willingness to involve you in the decision making process around your health care.

Why evidence matters 

Information about health can be obtained from a variety of sources: family, friends, the media as well as health care professionals. These questions may assist you in deciding what is right for you.

Where to find evidence-based information

If you would like to look more closely at the clinical evidence surrounding the treatment of a particular health condition then the Cochrane Library is a good place to begin.

All residents of Australia with access to the Internet can access the Cochrane Library for free.

The Cochrane Library is a unique source of reliable and up-to-date information on the effects of interventions in health care and is designed to provide information and evidence to support decisions taken in health care and to inform those receiving care. It is a collection of seven separate databases, five of which provide coverage of evidence-based medicine, and two provide information on research methodology.

Full details of the Cochrane Collaboration and its component bodies, can also be found within the Cochrane Library.

Health information on the Internet

If you are looking for more health information on the Internet that is reliable and Australian-based, the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health is an information partner with two health portals:

Healthinsite
a federal government initiative, that aims to improve the health of Australians by providing easy access to quality information about human health.

Better Health Channel
a Victorian government initiative to provide the community with access to trusted, online health related information

Content updated June 18, 2006
Page updated April 29, 2008