Healthy lifestyle should be accessible to all women

2 September 2019

2 Sep 2019

Accessible health, education and sporting services, nutritious food and social connections are essential to enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

Unfortunately, women with disability are one of the most disadvantaged groups when it comes to health and well-being. They are more likely to have poor diets and less access to good health services. This can result in higher incidences of health problems like obesity and chronic disease.

Women’s Health Week

It’s Women’s Health Week from September 2, and here at VMCH we believe that all women should be able to access these things.

Here are just a few concerning facts about women with disability, their health and well-being:

More than 43 per cent of women with a disability suffer some form of mental illness, compared to 21 per cent in the general population

Women with disability are more likely to experience economic, health and social disadvantage due to being unemployed. Only 49 per cent of women with disability work, compared with 64.9 per cent of women generally.

Women with disability are at higher risk of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies

Women with an intellectual disability are up to three times as vulnerable to sexual abuse as people without disability.

Healthy results

Achieving good physical and mental health and having a disability can co-exist. However, as these statistics show, much needs to be done to support women with disability to achieve this.

VMCH provides a range of services that aim to support women of all ages and abilities to achieve their goals.

Christine is one of those people who turn to VMCH to help her achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Christine loves going to the gym, shopping and socialising. With her VMCH support team, she does these things regularly.

She also attends VMCH’s adult day program which aims to empower people with disability to advocate for themselves, meet new people, take part in activities that include cooking classes and a drama group.

If you would like to learn more about VMCH’s services that support people to achieve a healthier and happier lifestyle visit our website or email: hello@vmch.com.au

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.