Funding boost for endometriosis in women's strategy
Women will have greater access to clinical care and services for endometriosis under a lever of a Queensland government health strategy.
More than $18 million will be used to break down barriers faced by women when receiving an endometriosis diagnosis.
The funding will also improve access to clinical, surgical and rehabilitation services, peer support groups and scholarships for nurses and physiotherapists to better understand and treat pelvic pain.
Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue is present outside the uterus and is associated with pelvic pain, infertility and poor mental health.
Queensland has a higher prevalence of endometriosis than the national average with about one in six women diagnosed with the condition by the age of 40.
That compares to just over one in 10 women at the same age across Australia.
The majority of government funding ($13.68 million) will be allocated to advanced clinical services for persistent pelvic pain, including care for endometriosis.
Non-government organisations will receive more than $2 million for peer support group programs with a focus on endometriosis, menopause and cancer.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said endometriosis and pelvic pain was often misdiagnosed with women on average having to wait seven years for a diagnosis.
"It is absolutely time that we stepped up to make sure that women have access to quality health care," she said on Thursday.
"This is absolutely critical for women and girls right across Queensland, who now feel like they have been heard, they've been listened to, their pain is now being believed and as a government we are acting to make sure that women and girls in Queensland can live happier and healthier lives."
Thursday's announcement is part of the Queensland Women and Girls' Health Strategy 2032, which will be fully released by the government soon.
Almost 12,000 women and girls had shared their experiences during consultation for the strategy.
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