Quick questions on Health inequities by gender and sexuality in Australia: HSC PDHPE Equity and Health

Mental health. Australian women have higher 12-month prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders than men (Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey 2020-22). Self-harm and suicide attempt rates are higher; completed suicide rates are lower.

Life expectancy at birth is around 4 years higher for women than men. Specific causes of death (cardiovascular, occupational injury, suicide) are lower in women.

Suicide and mental illness. Men complete suicide at roughly three times the rate of women. Men access mental health services at lower rates than women relative to need.

Some women's-health-specific inequities (endometriosis underdiagnosis, family violence, gender pay gap) are absent or much smaller for men. The gender pay gap operates in the other direction for men.

LGBTIQ+ Australians experience substantially higher rates of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide than non-LGBTIQ+ Australians. The Writing Themselves In studies (La Trobe University, conducted multiple years) consistently document:

Particularly elevated mental health risks documented in the Trans Pathways and Private Lives studies. Access to gender-affirming care varies widely by state and by financial position. Wait times for public gender clinics extend to years.

HIV management in Australia is among the best in the world, with PrEP access and HIV prevention infrastructure widely available. STI rates remain elevated in some sub-groups.

LGBTIQ+ Australians report higher rates of poor healthcare experiences than non-LGBTIQ+ counterparts. Some have specific clinics and services (e.g., Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Thorne Harbour Health in Victoria). Mainstream services vary in cultural safety.

Specific inequities including:

Women's cardiovascular disease is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Symptoms presenting differently than the "classic" male pattern lead to delayed diagnosis. Women are less likely to receive guideline-directed treatment after cardiac events.

Around 1 in 4 Australian women experiences intimate partner violence over their lifetime (ABS Personal Safety Survey). The health consequences are substantial - mental illness, chronic pain, injuries, and elevated risk of premature death.

Women perform substantially more unpaid caring labour (children, ageing parents, disabled family members). This affects employment, income, retirement savings, and mental health.

The gender pay gap in Australia is around 12-14% across the workforce. Lower lifetime earnings mean lower superannuation balances at retirement, contributing to older women being the fastest-growing homelessness cohort.

Men complete suicide at roughly three times the rate of women. Men access mental health services at lower rates than women relative to need.

Men have higher workplace injury and fatality rates because they are concentrated in construction, mining, transport, and agriculture - the highest-risk industries.