Women’s biggest health risks – and tips to stay healthy
On average, Australian women have a longer life expectancy than Australian men – around four years longer, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Women are also more likely to visit a doctor this helps catch any illnesses or conditions early and ultimately can increase life span.
So, what are the top risks for women and what can you do to look after your health?
Key causes of death for women
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare*, the top five health conditions that cause death in Australian women are:
- Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
- COVID-19
- Lung Cancer
In addition to this list, other conditions such as breast cancer, liver disease and colorectal cancer remain high causes of death for those aged 45-74.
An ounce of prevention
While some of these conditions may be hereditary, there are things we can do to help improve your overall health, your general mood and reduce our chances of serious sickness. Some of the everyday things you can do include drinking less alcohol, stopping smoking, eating a well-balanced diet, keeping your weight in a healthy range, and incorporating exercise into your daily routines.
There can also be significant benefits to managing stress levels as well. High levels of stress can have a negative impact on the immune system so reducing stress levels can help bolster your immune system.
Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress, keep your weight in a healthy range, increase muscle mass and reduce blood pressure. Regular exercise can look different for everyone depending on your abilities and limitations. Whether you take up running, go for a daily walk around the block, or join a sports team, there are endless ways in which you can weave physical activity into your day-to-day that suits your lifestyle. At the end of the day, every move counts! For example, a recent study found that exercise helps people live longer even when walking significantly fewer than the often recommended 10,000 steps. The study found that middle aged people who walked at least 7,000 steps a day on average were less likely to die of cancer, heart disease or other causes over the next decade. **
It’s also important to talk to your doctor about when you should have regular screenings such as mammograms as early diagnosis can be vital to managing some of the most serious illnesses.
The importance of appropriate health and life insurance products
Of course, while you can take significant steps to look after your health, you can’t guarantee that you will never get sick. Having health and life insurance products in place including Life Cover and Income Protection can help ensure if you do get sick, you will be better able to provide for yourself and your family during tough times.
Doing as much as you can to take care of your health and prevent serious illnesses is important – ensuring that your loved ones are well protected in case you do suffer a serious illness or injury is equally so.
Check out the website below for women’s health resources:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/womens-health
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