Presenter(s):

Janine Charnley; Xenia Dolja-Gore; Dominic Cavenagh; Julie Byles, University of Newcastle, Australia

Abstract

Australia’s population is ageing rapidly, and women aged 60 and over form a significant and growing part of this demographic. As this population expands, understanding their healthcare needs becomes vital for shaping effective, person-centred policies that promote healthy ageing.

Drawing on data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), this talk will explore the healthcare needs of Australian women aged 60 and above, shedding light on key trends, service gaps, and areas for urgent intervention. The data shows that a large proportion of older women live with at least one chronic condition—arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes being among the most prevalent. Mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression, also stand out as critical issues that demand more attention.

The talk will discuss the emerging trends in healthcare use and the gaps in services. Beyond highlighting these challenges, the presentation will address how this data can drive more effective policy decisions. It will emphasize the importance of integrating health and social care, ensuring access to specialist and mental health services, and considering the social determinants of health that shape women’s experiences of ageing. By sharing these insights, the session aims to inspire data-driven solutions that foster equitable healthcare access for older women.

Ultimately, this talk will encourage a forward-looking discussion about how we can better support the health and well-being of older Australian women. The goal is to not only spotlight the current state of their healthcare needs but also to push for policies and practices that close existing gaps and build a more inclusive, responsive healthcare system.

Keywords: Older women, health care needs, ALSWH, unmet needs, ageing policy, chronic conditions

Bio(s):

Janine Charnley is a researcher specializing in global ageing, health and social policy, and unmet care needs, with a recent focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Her work examines the unmet health and social care needs of older people, aiming to inform policy and strengthen data collection frameworks for evidence-based decision-making.

Currently, Janine is completing her PhD, which focuses on advancing methodologies to ensure robust measurement and monitoring of unmet health and social care needs among older populations globally. She has collaborated with the WHO on ageing-related research, including projects funded by the WHO Centre for Health Development (Kobe Centre), Japan, and the South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), New Delhi, as part of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. Her work contributes to improving regional understanding of health and social care challenges.

Beyond research, Janine is actively engaged in knowledge translation and policy discussions. She has experience in social media strategy, event organization, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that research findings are accessible to policymakers and practitioners. She is also involved in CARE∞TRACK, an international research consortium dedicated to the equitable measurement and monitoring of older people’s unmet health and long-term care needs.

Committed to advancing ageing research and policy, Janine continues to contribute to global discussions on ageing and the future of health and social care systems.