Centre for Women's Health Research

Celebrating 30 years of the ALSWH - a remarkable milestone!

Today marks 30 years of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH).

On this day in 1996, the first survey was officially sent out to women randomly recruited via Medicare to capture their health experiences. Since then, the study has become the largest and longest-running health study for women in the country, following more than 57,000 women across Australia in four age cohorts.

Study findings have contributed to policy change, including the Federal Government’s National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030 and the National Women’s Health Policy 2010.

ALSWH participants are at the heart of this anniversary, as well as study staff and researchers, both past and present. Together, we have grown the study across three decades.

In marking this milestone, we are grateful to the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing for funding the study and to the women who have provided and continue to provide the survey data.

2026 International Women's Day is tomorrow. How will you ?

We support and Rights. Justice. Action.

Season's Greetings! Wishing you all a wonderful holiday period. We look forward to working with you in 2026!

The University of Newcastle will be closed from 22 Dec to 6 Jan.

Thank you to our guest speakers and delegates for connecting and collaborating with us at the 2025 Women's Health Forum last Thursday at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). It was a fantastic event and what we hope was educational, inspiring and memorable for all who attended.
From left: Prof. Mariko Carey, the Hon. Sharon Claydon MP, Dr. Catherine Chojenta

All registered delegates of the 2025 Women’s Health Forum are invited to attend a special Consumer Workshop on 6 March at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Hosted by the fabulous Dr. Jessie Sutherland and Mrs. Brigitte Sigl. ‘Not for us, but with us: Working together with people with lived experience in health and medical research’ will provide researchers with the basic tools for working with consumers, enabling workshop participants to create tailored consumer involvement plans for their specific research. Register for the Forum now: https://cwhr.com.au/events/2025-womens-health-forum/

Seats are going fast for the 2025 Women's Health Forum taking place at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) on 6 March. Don't forget to register by 28 February! Follow this link: https://cwhr.com.au/events/2025-womens-health-forum/

On Sunday, the Australian Government announced it will invest $573.3 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women by increasing the accessibility and affordability of health services related to contraception and menopause. This includes listing new contraceptive pills on the PBS, after more than 30 years and providing more Medicare support for women experiencing menopause. For more information on this announcement, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/more-choice-lower-costs-and-better-health-care-for-women