Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations University of Queenlsand Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

 
 


The project: Method

In April 1996, women in three age groups (18-23 years, 45-50 years and 70-75 years) were selected from the Medicare database, which is maintained by the Health Insurance Commission and contains the name and address details of all Australian citizens and permanent residents. These women were sent an invitation to participate in a 20 year study of health and health service use. Over 40,000 women responded to this initial invitation and agreed to participate in the project for 20 years.

The three age groups were selected in order to follow women through life stages which are critical to women’s health and well-being. We began tracking the younger age group when they were in the early stages of transition from late adolescence to full adulthood, and over time most of them are moving into the workforce, entering adult relationships, and becoming mothers. The mid-age group was selected to examine menopausal transitions and the social and personal changes of middle age. The older group were selected in their early 70s, to recruit older women who are generally still active, involved members of the community. These women are being tracked to obtain information on predictors of continuing well-being and independence in older adult life.

Sampling from the population was random within each age group, except that women from rural and remote areas were sampled at twice the rate of women in urban areas. This oversampling meant that the numbers living outside major urban areas were large enough to allow statistical comparisons of the circumstances and health of city and country women, an important issue for Australia now and in the future. Women's Health Australia is the largest study of health issues in rural and remote parts of Australia.


Location of participants*
*Each dot represents the centroid of a postcode with at least one participant


Each age cohort is surveyed once every three years, via surveys sent in the mail, to see how their health has changed. The longitudinal study design, by which the same women are followed for 20 years, means that the study is able to clarify cause-and-effect relationships and to assess the effects of changes in policy and practice.

Schedule of main surveys


As well as these main surveys, women are invited to participate in a variety of substudies. These surveys target particular areas of health, and have covered a wide range of topics including sleeping difficulties and disturbances, domestic violence, menopausal problems, urinary incontinence, leisure and time use, diabetes and the future plans of young women.

This information is helping to shape the future of both health policy and services.

 

See also:

 
   

 
Link to Project Aims page Link to Project Progress page Link to Project Methods page Link to Project Progress page 		 


 
 

Last updated: 11 November 2004 by Rosie Brotherston© Copyright