Australia Marks Women's Health Week with Calls to Strengthen Research & Access to Care

• Women's Health Week occurs as a national event within Australia every September 1–5 each year
• This week focuses on a the wellbeing and health of women and girls
• The focus is to facilitate access to healthcare and help in reducing the gender health gap

This Women's Health Week, scientists and campaigners right around Australia are calling for more robust support for the research that informs women's and girls' access to health.

Witnessed nationally between September 1 and 5 every year, Women's Health Week is about making women's and girls' health and wellbeing better.

Although having access to care matters, experts point out that research is important to closing barriers, enhancing treatment, and shrinking the gender health gap.

The annual theme for this year is "Say yes to you", urging women to focus on their health. Studies by the McKinsey Health Institute indicate that women spend a total of nine years in bad health—about 25 percent more than men.

In the 2025–2026 Federal Budget, the government committed a $793 million women's health package to fund endometriosis clinics, menopause therapies, subsidised contraceptives, and other treatments.

While these events mark a step forward, the Women and Infants Research Foundation (WIRF) highlighted that the delivery of committed research funding remains significant.

WIRF chief scientist Professor Matt Kemp explained that without specific investment in women's health research, initiatives to bridge the gender health gap will be severely constrained. The gap has been estimated to cost up to 75 million life years and US$1 trillion worldwide every year.

"This is about precision medicine, getting the right therapy to the right patient, at the right time." WIRF chief scientist Professor Matt

WIRF is pushing research in a number of areas, including:

Preterm birth: Creating a novel glucocorticoid transdermal patch and maternal blood test to enhance outcomes.

Pre-eclampsia: Developing a quick blood test based on RNA markers and backing easy screening tools such as Isometric Handgrip Echocardiography (IHE).

Ovarian cancer: Developing an ultra-sensitive blood test for earlier, less invasive diagnosis.

These innovations are steps in the direction of precision medicine—getting the right treatment to the right patient at the right time, said Professor Matt.

He further explained that investing in research not only enhances clinical outcomes but also supports strengthening communities, reduces the cost of healthcare, and increases productivity.

"Investing in women’s health research ... saves lives, reduces costs and strengthens our society as a whole." WIRF chief scientist Professor Matt