Specifically, 35.7 percent of women and 32.9 percent of men died in 2021. Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) addressed the greater mental stress as a possible cause during the presentation: “Societally, that’s not enough on the radar.”
“Many women have been under double or triple stress for many years,” says Rauch. In addition to gainful employment and raising children, they often experience violence, poverty and isolation in old age. You have to take care of it and “tackle problems,” said the minister. According to the Women’s Health Report, cardiovascular disease is still perceived as a typically male disease, despite its high incidence as a cause of death in women.
Mental health issues are also in focus
The incidence of treated myocardial infarction—commonly referred to as a heart attack—was higher in men than in women at 244 per 100,000 (99). At the same time, only 4.4 percent died within 30 days. In women, the rate was higher at 5.9 percent. This is partly due to the different symptoms and the often late diagnosis in women. The second leading cause of death is cancer, accounting for 22.1 percent of deaths.
There are also gender differences in mental illnesses. Women suffer from mental illnesses more often than men: they account for 15 percent of the illnesses in women and 13.9 percent in men. In girls and young women under the age of 20, mental illness is the most common reason for years of life spent in illness, at 27 percent.
pent-up demand for sexual health
Another important topic in the Women’s Health Report 2022 is the sexual health of women. According to the report, it is still considered from a risk perspective, for example to prevent pregnancy. According to Rauch, the sexual education of women and girls must be sharpened here.
“Among other things, it is about openly discussing myths about taboo and stigmatized topics such as menstruation, sex or contraceptive options,” the minister continued. Although 80 percent of 14 to 17-year-old girls considered themselves to be enlightened on sexual issues, the need for information on sexual practices, pregnancy and childbirth, and genital organs is almost the same as it was more than 40 years ago, Rauch continues.
The Women’s Health Report 2022 clearly stated that more data that explicitly deals with women’s health needs to be collected in Austria. The Ministry of Health had already commissioned a study on menstrual health last year. Their results are expected by the end of 2023. Another study raises the need for free contraceptives, the ministry said.
From free HPV vaccination to mother-child pass
A team of experts from Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) compiled the women’s health report. It was the first time in ten years that such a report had been published. Health Minister Rauch: “It is a meaningful and important document. The implementation was very important to me.” He praised the free HPV vaccination against several common types of cancer in women and in some cases also in men, which was extended at the beginning of February up to the age of 21.
Due to its great success, the “Early Help” project will also be rolled out nationwide this year. This is a preventive support offer for all expectant mothers and families in a phase of life that is characterized by changes and challenges. The reform of the mother-child passport has already been agreed. In future it will be offered as a parent-child pass with extended services and will also be available in an electronic version.
Rauch announced further studies for the future. He also wants to focus on the mental health of women, especially young girls. “We are already taking important steps here – as part of the ‘Healthy Out of the Crisis’ initiative, for example, the nationwide project ‘self♀*wert plus’ is being funded, which cushions the psychosocial stress on girls and young women,” said the minister.
Expert: Differentiated data collection can save lives
Sylvia Gaiswinkler from the GÖG emphasized the social aspects of the report. In medicine, the focus is often on men, and concerns specific to women are neglected: “Many factors do not occur in the health care system and research. A change of perspective is necessary.”
In this context, science communicator Elka Xharo drew attention to the “gender data gap”. In medicine and research, men have been assumed to be the norm for far too long. “Differentiated data collection can save lives.” Whether it’s drug approvals or heart attack symptoms: gender-equitable data collection and evaluation is essential.
