Location: International Womens Day > Media  » International Women's Day Address by Ms Janet Michelmore AO

International Women's Day Address by Ms Janet Michelmore AO

Great Hall, Parliament House


8 March 2007

Janet Michelmore AO
Director
The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health

Thank you so much for inviting me to speak.
If I achieve one thing today, I hope you will go away with just one message: I can do that! It is all about investment in health –- small changes in behaviour towards health generate Big rewards
Picture this:

I am hoping that most of you are sitting there thinking how could this person let this happen but I also suspect a few of you will be cringing thinking that’s me.

It is all too familiar to me – because - that woman is me.

What’s ridiculous is that I work in women’s health every day. I live and breathe it. I spend my days building bridges in the health arena, talking to government, to funding bodies, to women and industry. So how could this happen to me?

Well, let me tell you, I’ve done a lot of soul searching.

As well as dissecting my own lifestyle, I’ve pushed the Jean Hailes’ team of researchers, educators and clinicians to ask the hard questions because statistics tell us that there are many women like me. How can educated women, with access to quality, up-to-date health information have their old age diminished by debilitating chronic conditions?

Preventive strategies are for everyone not simply comfortable options for the educated. We have an obligation to teach all women how to live healthier lives. And as many of you would realise, it’s women who influence behaviour in families. If we can reach the person providing the meals – who also has the potential to confiscate the remote control – we’ll influence many lives.

Recent research from VicHealth and Deakin University in Victoria tells us that almost 60,000 Australians in low-income working families go without meals or live with the uncertainty that they’ll have enough to eat. The risk of obesity is up to 40 per cent higher for women with low incomes.

They may have a shortage of food but the food they do eat is often the wrong type. The research showed that it’s easier to find a fast-food outlet than a supermarket and it’s easier to catch a bus with a bag of takeaway than bags of milk, fruit and vegetables. And, by the way, a litre of milk is dearer than a litre of cola.

We need to see government working with community, industry and not-for-profits like ours to overcome these enormous barriers. And that is why the Jean Hailes Foundation exists. We take a broad, holistic approach to women’s health – researching, analysing and advising on a woman’s life journey – including the junctions, the highways and the bumpy bits along the way. We want women to live happier and healthier lifestyles as they age. But significantly, we’re about WELLNESS. Staying healthy and preventing those risks to our longevity.

Why is it that health tends to matter only when you don’t have it, when something goes wrong? We know women are better than men at health, but we are better at taking our kids to the dentist, our dog to the vet and even getting our car serviced than we are at maintaining wellness.

Perhaps we’re drowning in a sea of fascinating, but confusing, data about women’s health? Newspapers are full of it every day. And then there is the advice of your next door neighbour, your hairdresser and a myriad of other sources and that is my first message – check out the credentials of your sources of information.

Don’t worry. I’m not going to bombard you with more today.

We know there are barriers to women living healthy lives. The challenge is for us is to help women wade through the quagmire of confusion concerning research and how it relates to them. It is about PERCEPTION VERSUS REALITY.

At the Foundation, we know that as few as FOUR per cent of women see heart disease as a health risk when they actually face a FIFTY per cent chance of dying from it. We also know that FOUR per cent will get breast cancer but nearly 50 per cent see it as their major threat.

Disturbingly, two thirds of sudden cardiac deaths occur in women who had no previous symptoms. That’s two thirds of sudden deaths – no symptoms.

And why do women wait, on average, 14 hours before they seek help for chest pain?

So there’s a level of ignorance - or humility – and for older women, perhaps a fatalistic attitude that it’s too late to make any changes.

But it’s not.

Women come to the Jean Hailes clinic to seek advice on stress, sleep, sex or an immediate medical problem. We want women to come about long term planning – their CVD and diabetes risk factors, their bones their emotional wellbeing – and the reality is that most of the diseases that impact on women as they age are lifestyle related.

Our research shows that whilst Australian women see it as their responsibility to act to maintain good health, they don’t. Family and health rate as our primary concerns of ageing, money is a poor second. BUT the only facet of ageing that we actively plan for is financial security.

Perhaps we ALL need to get back to basics. Slow down. Stop and think about the quality of our lives – before we hit the wall and there’s a major issue to deal with – like I did!

As one wise woman said a couple of years ago: “Don’t sit there looking for the light at the end of the tunnel – go light the damn thing yourself.”

A favourite quote of mine from Lorraine Elliott, a former Victorian parliamentarian, who summed it up for me when she said: “I’d like to live in my own house until the end of my days. Put on my own pantyhose and change my own light bulbs.”

This is what it is all about. Simple health, independence, flexibility thanks to moving joints and good enough balance that you won’t break your hip when you’re getting down off the kitchen chair after changing that globe.

What I AM saying is that WELLNESS is worth chasing.

Prevention is worth working for.

It’s better than seeking remedies when the body is breaking down and the health system is relied upon to fix the problem. It is what you do for yourself that is far better than any prescription. The two key questions are what does it take to change one’s behaviour and how to we maintain those changes.

Can you make a little time to nurture yourself? As the advertising world so often points out, do it, “because I’m worth it”.

There’s real evidence that when you dare to tackle RISK FACTORS little by little, taking small steps – things like stress, cholesterol, weight, alcohol – you can indeed make a significant difference, not only to your lifespan,  but to your quality of living. Nobody says you have to do it all at once. But change one small thing. Make it a habit. Then change something else.  Chip away at it until it becomes routine. Nobody says it’s going to be easy, but it is achievable – for each of us.

What does it take to change one’s behaviour. As humans we often need more to motivate us than fear. Some of us may have personalities that are keen to embrace a challenge, while others may fight against the disruption to long held routines. The way we think has a huge impact on motivation. Support is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having people who care for you is generally good for your wellbeing. Having support provides you encouragement while you change your lifestyle.

Just as risk factors are cumulative, the same can be said in reverse. Deal with a risk factor; eliminate it and your risk DIMINISHES by the same amount.

It’s a bit like the lottery really. Buy the cheapest ticket – you have a one in four million chance of winning. A bit like walking once a month – through a shopping centre back to your car.

The more vigorous the activity, the greater your benefits. Exercise more frequently over a longer period and see the odds improve. Buy a Tattslotto system 16 and your odds improve - you have a one in 200 chance of winning.

Find yourself a great GP. See them as an equal partner in the business of keeping you well. Build a relationship with the same principles as you would a business partnership or business relationship with a financial advisor or accountant. Prepare for your meetings with your health business partner - bring relevant info to each appointment. Like your family history. Take notes. Ask questions. Tell your GP all the medications you’re taking even if you feel uncomfortable about disclosing the alternative remedies you take. If the partnership doesn’t seem to be working as you intend, then reassess the investment of your effort, time and money – and research and identify a health business advisor more suited to the health business needs that you have. Ask for or seek out a second opinion if you are concerned – your research and investment of time and effort is about securing your business.

That’s your first step to INSURING yourself for wellness. Think of it as another form of superannuation – the most important type of wealth. I don’t think there is any point spending the dollars from a sofa in heaven.

Work out what works for you -

But above all - Be kind to yourself. There is increasing evidence that recognising our own need to rest and relax is one of the most important health investments we can made. And while we may find it hard to define kindness we know what it is when we are in its presence.