In Australia 51% of our population is female. The average life expectancy of an Australian woman  (as of 2017)  is 84.6 years of age –  4.2 years longer than men and the 7^th highest life expectancy in the world- however this number reduces to 75.6 years if you are an Indigenous Australian and to an average of 69 years of age if you live remotely.

On average women can expect to spend 74.4 years healthily, but this does mean that they can expect 10.2 years living with at least one medical condition.

For women living remotely up to 60% of these deaths were due to potentially avoidable causes.

In Australia the leading causes of death in women are;

1. Alzheimer’s and Dementia
2. Ischaemic heart disease (heart attacks)
3. Cerebrovascular disease (strokes)
4. Chronic lung diseases
5. Lung cancer.

So, what can we do?

Given that up to 60% of deaths are potentially avoidable, the key things for women to focus on are living healthily – this means;

• Exercising on average 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity each week – or an average of 30 minutes on most days. In addition to this, women should be undertaking strength or resistance training 2 days each week. This helps to improve bone and muscle strength, reducing osteoporosis and falls.
  Only 2 in 5 women manage to achieve this.

• Maintaining a healthy weight. 60% of Australian women are overweight. A healthy weight means maintaining a BMI between 20-25, or 18.5-23 if of Asian decent or 22-27 if over the age of 65.
• Eating 2 fruit and 5 veg every day! Only 1/13 women manage to eat the recommended number of fruit and veg every day. Eating a healthy diet helps to maintain weight, but a diet rich in whole foods and vegetables decreases your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• Drink within the recommended alcohol guidelines – less than 2 standard drinks on average per day, less than 10 standard drinks total each week. Less than 4 standard drinks are recommended on any one occasion.
• Smoking cessation. 1/9 Australian women smoke. This not only contributes to the risk of lung cancer and chronic lung conditions but is a major risk factor for heart attacks, diabetes, strokes, and most cancers.
• Finally, be up to date with screening programs such as mammograms and bowel cancer screening, both of which start at the age of 50 and should be done every 2 years until the age of 75. Pap smears – now called CSTs or cervical screening tests – now begin at the age of 25 and if normal are only every 5 years until 70-74 years of age.
  Consider talking to your doctor about a heart health check, skin check and if post-menopausal consider screening for osteoporosis.

SRMG have a range of doctors with an interest in Womens Health who can help you on your journey to a healthier and happier you.

This article has been written by Dr Tameka Ellard