Women in rural and remote Australia are the heartbeat of their families and communities, but they face unique health challenges and too often put their own needs last.
This Women’s Health Week, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is standing with rural, remote, and First Nations women, calling for better access to the healthcare they deserve.
ACRRM President and Rural Generalist obstetrician Dr Rod Martin says the College’s Rural Generalist doctors share a deep commitment to the women in their communities.
“Rural women show incredible strength, but their health outcomes tell us the system is not keeping up,” Dr Martin says.
“They are more likely to experience preventable cancers, chronic disease, poorer maternal outcomes and, tragically, higher rates of family and domestic violence.
“For First Nations women, these barriers can be greater without access t culturally safe and community-led care.”
Dr Martin says Rural Generalist doctors see first-hand the impact of these inequities.
“RGs live and work alongside the women they care for, they are neighbours, friends, and trusted community leaders.
“They provide maternity care, reproductive health, emergency medicine, chronic disease management and, importantly, they are often the first to recognise when a woman is at risk of violence or harm.
“Their role is to listen, to support, and to help women navigate care in a way that is safe and respectful,” he says.
ACRRM is calling for greater investment in rural women’s health services, culturally safe and woman-centred maternity care, and support for Rural Generalist training to ensure more doctors are equipped to serve women living rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“When rural women are supported to live healthier, safer lives, the whole community thrives,” Dr Martin says.
This Women’s Health Week, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) is standing with rural, remote, and First Nations women, calling for better access to the healthcare they deserve.
ACRRM President and Rural Generalist obstetrician Dr Rod Martin says the College’s Rural Generalist doctors share a deep commitment to the women in their communities.
“Rural women show incredible strength, but their health outcomes tell us the system is not keeping up,” Dr Martin says.
“They are more likely to experience preventable cancers, chronic disease, poorer maternal outcomes and, tragically, higher rates of family and domestic violence.
“For First Nations women, these barriers can be greater without access t culturally safe and community-led care.”
Dr Martin says Rural Generalist doctors see first-hand the impact of these inequities.
“RGs live and work alongside the women they care for, they are neighbours, friends, and trusted community leaders.
“They provide maternity care, reproductive health, emergency medicine, chronic disease management and, importantly, they are often the first to recognise when a woman is at risk of violence or harm.
“Their role is to listen, to support, and to help women navigate care in a way that is safe and respectful,” he says.
ACRRM is calling for greater investment in rural women’s health services, culturally safe and woman-centred maternity care, and support for Rural Generalist training to ensure more doctors are equipped to serve women living rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
“When rural women are supported to live healthier, safer lives, the whole community thrives,” Dr Martin says.