Government announces a national digital gateway for women’s health

National not-for-profit organisation Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is to receive $8.25 million in Federal Government funding to become the national digital gateway for women’s health and wellbeing.

The funding for the Jean Hailes digital gateway, which covers the period up to 2019, was announced today by Federal Minister for Health Sussan Ley.

Minister Ley stated “women’s health and wellbeing is one of the Government’s fundamental priorities and I applaud the work Jean Hailes does to promote women’s health and wellbeing throughout the country,”

Jean Hailes has been dedicated to improving the knowledge of women’s health through every life stage for more than 20 years. This includes identifying the gaps in health knowledge and providing solutions. This funding will extend that reach, making Jean Hailes the official trusted independent source for any women’s health and wellbeing issues, concerns and questions. 

Jean Hailes has a unique three-part structure: medical centres offering clinical support to women across their lifespan on everything from chronic disease prevention to menopause and anxiety; a research unit in association with Monash University; and a translation and education unit to interpret and publicly share practical evidence-based findings.

Welcoming the funding, Jean Hailes Executive Director, Janet Michelmore stated “establishing Jean Hailes as the national gateway for women’s health and wellbeing provides women, health professionals and communities across Australia with all of the advantages of a onestop-shop for health issues.”

Jean Hailes offers current, lively information via its website, associated portals and social media channels, as well as a bi-annual magazine and printed materials that are distributed through health professionals, women and community organisations.

Millions of women access the Jean Hailes website every year for trusted information and more than 13 million people read about Jean Hailes initiatives in the media in that past year.

Michelmore adds “our only agenda is to help women, and we achieve this by offering readily understood and actioned health prevention messages.”  

Jean Hailes Deputy Chief Executive Dr Mandy Deeks says that the digital gateway will be able to help women across a variety of health-related areas.

Dr Deeks concludes “it could be helping women recognise and manage anxiety, or helping women recognise the signs of cardiovascular disease - the biggest killer of women in Australia.

“Women want a trusted independent authority on health - not another ‘Dr Google’. We’re providing that for them.”

Jean Hailes offers women:

• Evidence-based information translated from current reputable research - Information tailored to different health literacy levels and a range of personal circumstances, including rural and regional communities, Indigenous women and those from low socio-economic backgrounds  
• No wrong door: people can access health content across a wide range of topics, from chronic disease prevention to anxiety and menopause - Responsive: quick to recognise and respond to the complex challenges for women’s health in Australia, particularly the impact of chronic disease
• A trusted, independent mediator: Jean Hailes balances out the confusing messages bombarding consumers and health professionals delivering information that is factual and agenda-free.

Being held from 5th to 9th September, Women’s Health Week focuses on the health of Australian women and girls and is an initiative of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.

For more information go to www.jeanhailes.org.au  

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