Understanding gendered health promotion

Our sector has a unique role in Victoria’s public health system. As experts in gendered health promotion and primary prevention, we work to prevent the underlying causes of ill-health and harm for women and gender diverse people. This means ensuring people stay well and, if they do need to access healthcare services, they receive optimal care that supports their return to health.

We work from a social model of health, recognising the significant influence social, environmental, political and economic factors have on our health. Factors such as income, education, living and working conditions, safety and inclusion, food security and climate change can either strengthen or disadvantage the health of women and gender diverse people.

Historically, the lack of gendered analysis across health, social, economic and environmental legislation, policy and programming has resulted in poorer health outcomes for women and gender diverse people. This inequity is heightened for communities marginalised by racism, colonialism, ableism, ageism, homophobia and transphobia, and for regional and rural communities. We work to redress health inequalities by delivering a range of actions guided by the World Health Organization’s Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.

• Creating better public policies that promote good health 

• Improving health service provision, reach and accessibility

• Ensuring the environments where we live, work, learn and play are safe, equal and foster better health outcomes

• Supporting communities to have more ownership and control over their health and health services

• Giving people the information and supports needed to make positive, informed choices about their health.

These case studies provide examples of how women’s health services bring to life these actions.