Brenda Jones Jean Hailes for Women's Health Interview

Women's Health Week Launches With Powerful Stuff

Jean Hailes for Women's Health is inviting women around Australia to take the lead on their health during Women's Health Week. This year's national health awareness campaign has been launched with an exciting new look and a message to all women to sign up for health's sake.

Established in 2013 and held annually in the first week of September (2-6 September 2019), Women's Health Week celebrates improving the health of all women in Australia.

In 2018, more than 85,000 women participated in the week with more than 2,100 events across the country from Esperance to the Tiwi Islands, and more than 47,000 people received online health content.

"Women are leading busier lives than ever before, and the week is an important reminder for women to look after themselves. Together, we want women to think about, and do something positive for their health," says Brenda Jones, Women's Health Week campaign manager.

The Jean Hailes annual National Women's Health Survey identified that a lack of time is a major barrier for women not maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Women are also prone to feeling guilty, particularly those in the 'sandwich generation' caring for both elderly parents and children. Guilt can take a toll on a woman's health and wellbeing, whether it be for taking time out for herself, or for not being available 100% of the time for others.

"We are also very excited to launch our new brand identity. We believe the new look is modern and strong, and better represents the diverse range of women in Australia today," says Ms Jones.

The new branding, developed in partnership with Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, represents the powerful role health plays in taking women along their life path. The unique symbol together with the tagline Women's health. Powerful stuff aims to encourage women of Australia to take the lead in nurturing health for themselves, and in turn, their families and their communities.

According to Ms Jones this year's campaign will also be more sustainable. "We are taking proactive steps in reducing the environmental impact by eliminating single-use plastics and our new Women's Health Week bag is made entirely from plastic bottles and can be used well after the week is over."

Women's Health Week is run by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, a leader in women's health for more than 25 years. Appointed by the Australian Government as the national digital gateway for women's health and wellbeing, Jean Hailes combines evidence-based research and clinical experience with practical resources and tools for women and health professionals.

 

Interview with Brenda Jones, Campaign Manager, Women's Health Week

Question: What is Women's Health Week 2019?

Brenda Jones: Women's Health Week (2-6 September) is a national health awareness campaign run by not-for-profit organisation Jean Hales for Women's Health. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good health and preventing future health problems and is a timely reminder for all women to be good to themselves, both inside and out.


Question: Can you tell us about the partnership with Clemenger BBDO Melbourne?

Brenda Jones: Jean Hailes worked in collaboration with Clemenger BBDO Melbourne on the new identity. Since its inception in 2013, the campaign has expanded year-on-year in reach, both numbers and geographically, with more than 100,000 women participating from the Tiwi Islands to Tasmania last year. It was time for a new brand identity, one with a stronger representation of what it means to be a woman in Australia today.

As we all know, in recent years the cultural environment for women has changed dramatically. As a result, women are more engaged, energised and resolute than ever before. We wanted a modern and strong brand that shows we know and respect the diverse range of our audience.

The new logo and the 'Heart Line' was designed to capture every woman's personal journey and the powerful role health plays in taking women along their life path.


Question: How can Australian women get involved in Women's Health Week 2019?

Brenda Jones: There are several ways women can get involved. Firstly, and most importantly, is to sign up to the week at www.womenshealthweek.com.au to receive free emails each day with health tips, tools and information to help unlock your own powers for good health.

We also encourage individuals, communities and workplaces to host Women's Health Week events. Events can be anything from healthy morning/afternoon teas, activity sessions such as walks or yoga, to fundraising activities and more. We have a fabulous event guide on the Women's Health Week website with everything you need to know about hosting an event. It's fun, and there is nothing more powerful than women supporting women to improve their health and wellbeing.


Question: What topics will be covered during Women's Health Week 2019?

Brenda Jones: This year will be focusing on physical activity and the effect on our bones, gut health our, reproductive system and emotional wellbeing. We will also be busting some myths around several health topics.


Question: Can you share with us, one of the daily tips that will be sent to the women signing up to Women's Health Week 2019?

Brenda Jones: Regardless of whether you have had children, every woman should be exercising their pelvic floor muscles every day.

Question: What's the first thing busy women should do today, to look after themselves better?

Brenda Jones: Women are leading busier lives than ever before and we know from our National Women's Health Survey that lack of time is a major barrier for women not maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I would urge women to set aside some time, to do something positive for their health; and a good first step would be to sign up to the week!


Question: How important was it for Women's Health Week to become more sustainable?

Brenda Jones: As Women's Health Week continues to grow and with 80,000 gift bags expected to be distributed at events this year, we felt it very important to reduce landfill and the campaign's environmental impact. Our hero piece is the Women's Health Week bag which this year is made entirely from plastic bottles. The new-look bag features an illustration inspired by the Australia landscape; it looks gorgeous, can be used well after the week is over and, in the end, recycled. We are also phasing out single-use plastics, so most items are now wrapped in tissue paper or packaged in either biodegradable plastics or cardboard.


Question: What do you hope to achieve during Women's Health Week 2019?

Brenda Jones: We want women's health to be the number one conversation topic during the week of 2-6 September, and ideally, every woman in Australia doing at least one positive thing for their health and wellbeing.


Interview by Brooke Hunter