New resources to help midlife women stay healthy

Australian women’s life expectancy is now around 85 years and women over the age of 50 are one of the fastest growing demographic groups. Healthy habits at midlife improve the chance of good overall health during ageing.

Healthy ageing depends on complex interactions between biological, environmental, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Some of these factors are beyond personal control. Others, including smoking, poor nutrition, weight gain, and lack of physical activity, are potentially modifiable. Because these factors increase the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, joint pain, and cardiovascular disease, people need self-care strategies for optimising health in midlife to increase their chance of healthy ageing.

People increasingly use the internet for health information. We assessed the accessibility of the information on 16 Australian websites with health information for women in midlife and found that there is a gap in accessible online information about menopause and midlife health for Australian women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those with low health literacy.

To address this gap and promote positive health behaviours in women in midlife, a series of evidence-informed, accessible, short, explanatory animated videos viewable on YouTube were developed by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence on Women and Non-communicable Diseases (CREWaND) research translation team. The videos convey positive messages about self-management of menopause symptoms, joint health, and mental health. The videos are narrated, have subtitles and are available in English. The menopause and joint health videos are also available in Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese.

Menopause health videos

“What is menopause?” explains the physiology of menopause, common menopause-related symptoms and how they can be managed, positive aspects of menopause, and includes a recommendation to seek medical advice if symptoms are severe. “How to stay healthy after menopause” offers practical steps women can take to optimise their health during the menopausal transition and in later life.

Joint health videos

“Slowing weight gain to reduce joint pain” and “Maintaining weight for joint health” give practical advice on managing joint and back pain and describe simple strategies to reduce joint pain by avoiding weight gain. “Avoiding unnecessary imaging for joint and back pain” dispels the myth that imaging is needed to investigate and diagnose joint and back pain and explains that imaging adds costs and worry, and can result in delays getting the most appropriate treatment. “Avoiding opioids for back and joint pain” describes the possible side effects of opioids and how dependence and withdrawal symptoms can develop even after a relatively short time. It also offers tips on how to deal with back and joint pain without using opioids including by staying active, trying to continue normal activities, and avoiding weight gain. “Healthy joints, healthy heart” explains that people who experience joint pains are twice as likely to die of a heart attack or stroke in later years than people who don’t have joint pain and why joint pain can be a wake-up call to improve both joint health and heart health. The video encourages people with joint pain to talk to their doctor about general health and ask for any recommended tests to check their heart health.

Mental health videos

The series of mental health videos was co-designed with people with lived experience of mental health problems. “What is mental health?” and “Why does our mental health matter?” explain that mental health is about how we feel and our thought processes and gives examples of things that can affect mental health. The videos also describe the benefits of good mental health and how to recognise signs of poor mental health. “Looking after our mental health” offers eight practical tips on how to look after our mental health, including staying connected with people and engaging in activities that give a sense of purpose. In “How do I know if I have a mental health problem?”, we explain that feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, sadness, and worry that interfere with daily life can be signs of a mental health problem. Examples of life circumstances that can contribute to mental health problems are discussed and advice given on helpful ways of thinking about problems that can improve how we feel. “Pain and mental health” addresses the mental health implications of chronic pain and explains the body–mind connection. The video offers five practical tips on how to manage chronic pain to reduce its impact on mental health.

A new tool in the health promotion toolbox

Poor health literacy can affect capacity to make informed decisions about health and health behaviours. The videos were developed to meet the needs of women who may have limited health literacy, and who therefore may not be reached by written health messages. This was based on evidence that video animations show promise as patient information tools, particularly for effects on knowledge. Helping patients help themselves through self-management can improve clinical indicators, health-related quality of life, and confidence to self-manage. We hope the videos will be a useful tool for GPs who want to empower midlife women with knowledge to help them stay healthy for longer.

Dr Karin Hammarberg is senior research fellow at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.

Professor Flavia Cicuttini is head of the musculoskeletal unit at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Monash University and head of rheumatology at the Alfred Hospital.

Dr Heather Craig is an early career researcher, interested in mind–body medicine, and psychosocial health/wellbeing. Heather lives with complex mental health issues, and her research work gives her a sense of meaning and purpose.

Ann MacRae is an early career researcher in health and social care specialising in trauma and attachment. She is currently undertaking a PhD through Monash University on trauma-informed care within a residential aged care setting.

Dr Mridula Bandyopadhyay is a Health Research Translation Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Her focus is on engaging communities in co-designing/co-creating accessible health education for health self-management and disease prevention.

Professor Jane Fisher is Finkel professor of global health and co-director division of planetary health at School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.