Breakthrough urine test could transform endometriosis diagnosis for Australian women
A potential breakthrough in endometriosis screening could dramatically shorten the often long diagnostic journey faced by hundreds of thousands of Australian women. As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, a new urine-based test, ArelisENDO, developed by Melbourne-based women’s health firm Arelis, is showing promise in early trials and may be available to patients as early […]
What workplaces must do now to protect employees experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is calling on workplaces across the region and beyond to take concrete action to better protect, support and respond to employees experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. During the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the Centre is urging employers to partner with its specialist program, Workplace […]
Historic drop in cervical cancer highlights what’s possible – now ovarian cancer needs same commitment
For the first time since national records began more than 40 years ago, Australia recorded no cervical cancer diagnoses among women under 25 in 2021. The finding announced in the Cervical Cancer Elimination Progress Report points to Australia’s HPV vaccination program, introduced in schools in 2007, as a major driver of the achievement. The national […]
Housing surges ahead, but Shellharbour Hospital is still set to open without birthing suites
The launch of Portella, Frasers Property’s newest apartment release in Shell Cove, has underscored the pace and scale of Shellharbour’s population boom, intensifying pressure on the state government to include birthing suites in the new $780 million Shellharbour Hospital. The apartments are being marketed to young families, with 45 per cent of the 88 homes […]
Women less safe at work than a decade ago, new index warns
Women in Australia are now less safe at work than they were a decade ago, and continue to shoulder the overwhelming burden of unpaid care, according to a major new national report that has raised urgent concerns for women’s health, economic security and workplace equality. The Gender Equality @ Work Index, released by the Australian […]
Why women in Victoria are being offered the green whistle, and what NSW can learn from it
The green whistle, a type of fast-acting pain relief usually seen in ambulances and emergency rooms, will soon be offered to women in Victoria having an intrauterine device (IUD) procedure. The Victorian Government has announced that Penthrox will be made available during IUD insertions at 20 Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs across the state. […]
Commissioners hear Illawarra’s call for systemic change to end violence against women and children at roundtable
The Illawarra’s frontline services have warned that domestic, family and sexual violence will not become “rare, brief and non-recurrent” without urgent fixes to childcare, housing and justice, at a regional roundtable attended by NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin and Commonwealth Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin. Hosted by the Illawarra Women’s Health […]
Endometriosis is being diagnosed faster as GPs change their approach
Australian women are finally being diagnosed with endometriosis faster, thanks to rising awareness and better GP practices, a groundbreaking new national study has found. The findings, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, show that the rate of diagnosis in general practice nearly doubled over the decade, and the median time from first recorded symptom […]
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre funding to support women at risk of homelessness
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has been awarded $200,000 by the Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong to support women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly due to domestic and family violence. The donation will support women through immediate financial assistance in time of need, providing dedicated casework outreach support and access to early intervention […]
Free contraception and abortion access could help prevent reproductive coercion, study finds
Women’s health advocates are calling for free access to contraception and abortion across Australia, following new national research showing these measures could help prevent a hidden but widespread form of gendered violence called reproductive coercion and abuse. The study, led by the University of Newcastle and based on data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on […]