What we have learned
The Impact of Chronic Disease in Women:
Chronic disease is now the major cause of death and disability throughout the world (WHO 2003). The consequences of chronic diseases in Australian women are extensive. There is a significant projected increase in the numbers of older women in Australia over the coming decades, and the ageing of the Australian population is the most significant demographic change occurring in this century. These chronic diseases in women also place an enormous economic burden on the health care system, with chronic disease constituting the major demand on the health care systems and the health economy. The issue is that a significant amount of deaths from heart disease and diabetes can be prevented or delayed.
The majority of the chronic disease burden is caused by a few risk factors including, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and alcohol (WHO, 2003). Changes in health behaviors including dietary habits, physical activity and tobacco control can have major impacts on chronic disease incidence, with WHO 2003 stating that; up to 80% of cases of CVD, and 90% of type 2 diabetes cases can be avoided by changing these three health behaviors (WHO, 2003).
We have learned from our previous study that changing certain poor lifestyle habits such as inadequate nutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse and physical inactivity can dramatically reduce risk factors for chronic disease such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Women's Wellness Program aims to effectively manage the risk factors related to chronic disease and set in place positive lifestyle behaviours that can be carried on by participants even after the study is finished.
Chronic disease is a major burden on women and society at present, lets make a change for the better!
Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going.
Gilbert, R. (1999) Bits and Pieces