Victorian Women's Health Program

Page content: Aims | Target group | Philosophy

Aims

To improve the health and well being of all Victorian women (with an emphasis on those most at risk), through the development and dissemination of health information and research and through the provision of community and professional education. These activities take place directly with women and in partnership with the health and community sectors.

There are 12 services funded through the Women's Health Program in Victoria (VWHP). They include 9 regional services, and three statewide services. The Victorian Women's Health Program was established in 1987, and was developed to provide services 'by women for women'. The dual strategy of delivering gender-specific health services whilst working to improve mainstream services remains a key aspect of women's health.

Target group

Women's Health Services work to improve the health and wellbeing of all women, but prioritize those population groups for whom access to health services is difficult. These include Koori women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; women with disabilities; rural women and those identified by state-wide, regional and community health planning processes.

Philosophy

Women's Health Services are based on an understanding of health within a social context and recognises that:

• health factors are determined by a broad range of social, environmental and economic factors;
• differences in health status and health outcomes are linked to a range of factors including gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and disability; and
• health promotion, prevention, equity of access and strengthening the community and home based health system are necessary along with high quality treatment services.

This site includes information on:

• Women's health & wellbeing strategy
  Provides information on the strategy, launch, key achievements, the forum and information about stage 1 of the strategy.

• Family and reproductive rights education
  Provides information about the Family & Reproductive Rights Education Program (FARREP).

• Publications
  Publications relating to the Victorian Women's Health Program.

• Links
  Provides a list of links relating to the Victorian Women's Health Program.

• Contacts
  Contact details for further information.

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