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In a landmark move for women’s health, the Australian federal government has announced a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, set to be available from July 1. This initiative was included in the government’s response to the Senate inquiry into menopause, which was released last week, and had been initially flagged earlier this month as part of a pre-election funding package for women’s health.
Why the Initiative is Needed
Historically, women’s health care has often been modeled on the needs of men, leading to gaps in addressing female-specific health concerns. One notable example is the government-funded midlife health check for individuals aged 45 to 49, which aims to identify and manage chronic disease risks, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, the Senate inquiry highlighted that this timing is not ideal for women, as menopause typically occurs at around 51 years of age, leading to significant changes in health profiles.
During menopause, women experience increased abdominal fat, rising cholesterol levels, and reduced glucose metabolism efficiency, all of which heighten the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Many women who receive a clean bill of health during their late 40s might subsequently develop risk factors post-menopause that go undetected.
Furthermore, approximately 12% of women experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 45, while around 4% undergo early menopause before 40. These women are at a significantly higher risk of heart disease, yet they may not qualify for the midlife health check at the right time, potentially missing critical early intervention opportunities.
What the Menopause Health Check Will Involve
The government has committed $26 million over two years to fund these menopause health assessments, as part of a broader $64.5 million package aimed at improving care for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Additionally, $12.8 million will be allocated to a community awareness campaign on menopause.
Research has shown that while many women understand menopause as the end of fertility, they often lack awareness about the broader health implications. Increasing health literacy on menopause will be a key component of this initiative.
The new menopause health checks will be conducted by general practitioners (GPs). While the specifics of these consultations are yet to be clarified, they are expected to include assessments and management of perimenopause and menopause, evaluations of overall health and well-being, and risk assessments for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Addressing the Knowledge Gap in Health-Care Providers
One of the key challenges highlighted in the Senate inquiry was the lack of confidence among health-care providers in delivering menopause-related care. To address this, the government has emphasized the need for improved education and training around menopause within medical schools, postgraduate specialist programs, and ongoing professional development for clinicians.
While the government cannot directly mandate medical school curricula, it has encouraged educational institutions to integrate menopause into their training programs. Additionally, funding will be directed towards expanding a professional development program on managing menopause offered by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health.
A Step Forward, But More Work is Needed
The recognition of menopause as a significant health milestone rather than just an age-related concern is a positive step forward. However, experts argue that more needs to be done to ensure high-quality menopause care.
A key issue is the lack of a credentialed training program in menopause medicine in Australia. Unlike North America, which offers a structured credentialing process, Australia lacks formal training pathways for both GPs and specialists. The challenge lies in the fact that menopause does not fall under a single medical specialty, making it difficult to develop comprehensive training programs without dedicated federal funding.
While the new health checks and increased awareness efforts are commendable, experts stress the importance of long-term investment in specialized training to create a workforce capable of providing gold-standard menopause care.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Women experiencing menopausal symptoms should consult a qualified health professional for personalized care and guidance.
