Beyond Symptoms Health Research

Beyond Symptoms is a major Women's Health West research project – an analysis of the health needs of women in Melbourne's Western Region.

Beyond Symptoms uses a social model of health, based on understanding of the ways that gender and social inequalities affect people's health and wellbeing. Information and analysis contained in Beyond Symptoms aims to both inform Women's Health West's planning and that of policy-makers and agencies, and provide practical resources for use by policy-makers, service providers, students and the broader community.

Beyond Symptoms is a collaborative project that involved ongoing engagement, input and feedback from women and men living and working in the Western Region. It draws on consultations with more than 130 local women and service providers, as well as a range of academics, various levels of government and service providers, other key stakeholders and staff of Women's Health West.

The research is intended as a resource for professional development and training, program planning and evaluation, further research, organisational reviews and strategic planning, students and educators in the secondary and post-secondary sectors.

Beyond Symptoms was first published in 2002 as a CD ROM and summary report. The full research report can be downloaded from this website in two sections. If you are unable to print the report, you can order it from Women's Health West. The research will also be available as more than 100 searchable web pages on this website by early 2006.

DOWNLOAD section 1 of Beyond Symptoms (PDF 791K)

This section includes:

Proposed areas of collaboration and action
An overview of the aims, scope and methodology
An exploration of gendered health policy and practice
A health profile of the Western Region, including population trends, diversity, socio-economic status and housing, education, employment and a range of health data.

DOWNLOAD section 2 of Beyond Symptoms (PDF 612K)

This section includes extensive discussion of the health needs of a range of specific population groups, including:

Culturally and linguistically diverse women
Women affected by family violence
Women with disabilities
Women as carers
Lesbians and same-sex attracted women
Younger women
Women in mid-life
Older women
Women in and post-prison
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women