General WCHM Publications
Having A Baby In Canberra (HABIC)
This publication provides basic information for women who may have just found out they are pregnant or who may be thinking of having a baby in the future. It describes the many choices that are available when having a baby in Canberra and provides a range of useful websites and books for further information.
Having A Baby In Canberra (HABIC) (87 KB)
Having A Baby In Canberra (HABIC) (183 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Women from CALD Backgrounds about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of the 102 women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The findings of the report It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Women from CALD Backgrounds about Health and Wellbeing Information highlighted that CALD women are proactive in seeking out health and wellbeing information; seeking it from a variety of sources, in a variety of media, on a variety of topics. Yet CALD women can face specific cultural and linguistic barriers that make obtaining the health and wellbeing information they need difficult, including not being able to access culturally appropriate services or information in languages other than English. At other times CALD women can access the information they need, but are unable to act upon that information because of restrictions placed upon them by others within their community or because of a lack of available and appropriate services, such as affordable female only exercise spaces.
It goes with the Territory! The views of CALD Women about Health and Wellbeing (481 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of CALD Women about Health and Wellbeing (14867 KB)
It goes with the Territory! ACT Women's views about Health and Wellbeing Information (2010)
Since women are the main decision makers for family health issues and the main family carers, their access to appropriate health and wellbeing information is crucial in order to make informed choices and to access services and support. WCHM commissioned this report as there was scant research identifying ACT women’s needs and preferences in relation to health and wellbeing information; the ways in which they appraise information; the barriers that restrict them from accessing information; and the gaps in their information landscape. This report explores the views and preferences of ACT women in accessing health and wellbeing information and how this information is transformed into knowledge, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them.
It goes with the Territory! ACT Women's views about Health and Wellbeing Information (649 KB)
It goes with the Territory! ACT Women's Views about Health and Wellbeing Information (4096 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The findings of the report It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women about Health and Wellbeing Information highlighted that the greatest challenge for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is overcoming the barriers, financial and otherwise, that limit the information sources they can access. Not being able to access a spectrum of information from a variety of sources can limit the extent to which women can make informed decisions about their health. More than this, however, it entrenches disadvantage by allowing some women access to health and wellbeing information sources and not others. The solution that the participants felt would address the majority of their concerns is a regularly updated list of GP and pharmacy services, which includes details about: bulk billing; opening hours; number of female physicians; and the availability of Aboriginal workers. Despite the associated barriers and difficulties, medical centres continue to be the most affordable and accessible GPs for the study participants. The opening of the first nurse-led walk-in centre in the ACT is a win for these women and for those who utilise the emergency department when they need to consult a health professional after hours. The creation and promotion of the tiered health system in the ACT will allow women greater choice and confidence when seeking health and wellbeing information for themselves and their families.
It goes with the Territory! The views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women (406 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women (11075 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of Young ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of women who were aged between 15 and 29 years and who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The findings of the report It goes with the Territory! The views of Young ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information highlighted that the greatest barrier for young women in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need, is not being able to find sources that are both trustworthy and sensitive to young women’s needs. This means that young women rely on the Internet, mass media and friends more readily than women in other age groups, because while the information may not be as trustworthy, they know they will be able to receive information that is non-judgemental, in a way that they will not feel embarrassed and by a source that will protect their confidentiality. The overwhelming need for confidentiality guides young women in their search for health and wellbeing information and should be a primary consideration in information dissemination to this group.
It goes with the Territory! The Views of Young ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (462 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The Views of Young ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (11535 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of women aged 60 years or older and who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The findings of the companion report It goes with the Territory! The views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information reveal that older women rely upon health professionals—particularly GPs—for the majority of their health and wellbeing information. They are also, however, pragmatic about the reality of GP shortages in the ACT and eager to see alternative sources of information for older women in the ACT that can provide them with personalised information that is tailored to their history, circumstances and preferences in the way that information provided by a GP would be.
It goes with the Territory! The Views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (449 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The Views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (11500 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Women who are Mental Health Carers about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of the women who reported having caring responsibilities for a person with a mental health issue and who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The report It goes with the Territory! The views of Women Mental Health Carers about Health and Wellbeing Information demonstrates that women mental health carers face a number of barriers to accessing the health and wellbeing information they need, which include but are not limited to: being shut off from information and knowledge by mental health professionals and workers; not being respected in their role by mental health professionals and workers; being denied information on the premise of confidentiality and privacy; not having a central source of ACT specific information on mental health treatments and services; and not being able to afford many of the options that do exist. Mental health carers are also greatly affected by the level of discrimination and stigma that exists around mental illness in the community, which can be very isolating and curb their function as carers. Women who are mental health carers need access to up-to-date and relevant information from trusted sources. This means that local and trusted health and wellbeing information sources need to be promoted over time to be visible and accessible to them.
It goes with the Territory! The Views of ACT Women who are Mental Health Carers about Health and Wel (385 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The Views of ACT Women who are Mental Health Carers about Health and Wel (11100 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Women with Disabilities about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)
This companion report presents the findings and views of the women who reported having a disability or long-term or chronic health issue and who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing women with disabilities in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.
The report It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT Women with Disabilities about Health and Wellbeing Information demonstrates that the greatest barrier for women with disabilities in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need is not being able to access a range of information in an appropriate format. Not being able to access a diverse spectrum of information in a variety of formats can limit the extent to which a woman with a disability can make informed decisions about her health. More than this, however, it entrenches disadvantage by enabling some women access to health and wellbeing information and not others. Ensuring that all women can access the health and wellbeing information they require in the format that is most suitable empowers women and enables them to fully engage with health decision-making. It extends the right to women with disabilities to be their own best guide on matters of health and wellbeing.
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT women with Disabilities about Health and Wellbeing Info (302 KB)
It goes with the Territory! The views of ACT women with Disabilities about Health and Wellbeing Info (302 KB)
Marginalised and Isolated Women in the ACT: Risk, Prevalence and Service Provision (2008)
This report presents a range of data aimed at exploring the nature of women’s marginalisation and isolation in the Australian Capital Territory. It examines the concepts of marginalisation and isolation and the risk factors that have been identified as prevalent amongst marginalised and isolated ACT women. It also provides estimates of the number of ACT women who are at risk of or are experiencing marginalisation and isolation. Homelessness, poverty, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health issues, disability, violence, age, cultural and linguistic diversity and Indigenous status are all identified as risk factors that may result in ACT women’s marginalisation and isolation. In addition, women who are primary carers, have been institutionalised, or have gambling problems have also been identified as being at risk.
Marginalised and Isolated Women in the ACT (PDF Format) (263 KB)
Marginalised and Isolated Women in the ACT (RTF Format) (1604 KB)
Social Determinants of Women’s Health and Well-Being in the ACT (2008)
This report was commissioned with the specific purpose of responding to the knowledge deficit on the health and wellbeing of ACT women, in order to support government and community to make evidenced based policy and service provision decisions. It presents a range of data previously not made publically available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey 2004-05 and focuses on women’s health in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), particularly women who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women with mental health and wellbeing issues. It takes account of the major causes of health inequalities, including income, educational level and literacy, occupation or employment status, social status within the community.
Social Determinants of Women’s Health and Well-Being in the ACT (2008) (PDF Format) (313 KB)
Social Determinants of Women’s Health and Well-Being in the ACT (2008) (RTF Format) (1870 KB)