They are more than ten times as likely as non-Indigenous women to have kidney disease, more than four times as likely to have diabetes/high sugar levels, and nearly twice as likely to have asthma.

The rate of cervical cancer is almost three times higher for Indigenous than non-Indigenous women and more Indigenous women die from it, yet it is one of the most preventable of all cancers.

Having regular health checks can help women stay healthy and screen for early warning signs of things like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

If you have high risk factors – like a family history of a disease, are overweight or smoke – you may be more likely to become sick.

So don’t wait until it’s too late, come in for a women’s health check today.

What are the health checks for women?
The check-up covers a range of tests and questions to keep an eye on your health, and to help find problems before they become serious. They include:

• updating medical history, family history and allergies
• taking blood pressure
• testing urine
• testing sugar levels in blood
• measuring weight and height
• checking eyesight
• checking ears
• providing contraceptive education
• asking about social and emotional wellbeing
• yarning about good foods, bad foods and exercise
• giving information on how to improve health (e.g. quitting smoking).

Health checks for women may also include tests like a Pap smear (every two years), breast check and bone density check.

Gumileybirra Women’s Clinic
Danila Dilba’s Gumileybirra Women’s Clinic at Palmerston has a range of health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. The women who staff it provide a comfortable and culturally appropriate place for patients.

The clinic cares for mums and their babies during and after pregnancy, including specialist care for high-risk mothers. The clinic also links mums and their children to community and other health services.

All our clinics are guided by an ‘Aboriginal health practitioner first’ policy, so you will be see an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner before a doctor.