Home

The Monash Women’s Health Alliance (MWHA) is a network of, 400+ researchers and clinicians, and 50-plus specialist research groups committed to making life better for women and girls.

Working with frontline services, governments, enterprises and people who care – MWHA identifies opportunities across health, gender equity, workforce participation and leadership that make a difference.

The insights that our experts share are backed by years of research and experience. We are proud to lean-in, challenge the status-quo, identify gaps and connect people, sectors and institutions to make change happen for women and girls.

MWHA. Join us. Be bold. Learn more.

Download flyer

Monash Women's and Children's Health Summit 2026

From Discovery to Health Impact: Advancing research, policy and practice to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children

Join us for the Monash Women's and Children’s Health Summit, a flagship event bringing together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and sector partners to explore innovations and evidence-based approaches that advance the health of women and children. The Summit will feature keynote addresses, rapid-fire research showcases, sector panels, and parallel breakout sessions covering women’s and children’s health across the life course.

Visit the website

-

Impacting women's health challenges through the lifespan

At the forefront of women’s health and research, the MWHA collaborates to embed research and education into our network of clinical partners and the community with a focus on the development of innovative treatments and therapies through optimising models of care, impacting and improving the lives of women. Working across 3 key streams; Policy and practice, Education and workforce development and Translational research, the MWHA are working towards improving lives.

Newborns 0 - 1

A baby girl’s health can be impacted by a range of factors, including the risk of developing mild to severe disabilities due to prematurity, birth trauma and/or low birth weight, and vulnerability to the quality and consistency of her caregiver’s parenting capacity.

Sleep and settling, feeding and teething problems in babies can be challenging for parents and caregivers to manage. Due to their physical immaturity, babies are also at higher risk of injuries and death due to accidents, abuse and neglect, and exposure to family violence.

-

Girls 1 - 14

Health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, developmental delays and disabilities, neurodiversity and anxiety can impact girls’ physical and emotional development and wellbeing, and disrupt school attendance, social relationships and overall family functioning.

Social and cultural issues that can affect girls’ health include managing screen time, physical activity levels, bullying, abuse and neglect. As they enter puberty, girls can be vulnerable to body image concerns, disordered eating and menstrual disorders.

-

Young Women 15 - 44 Years

The most common conditions affecting young women’s health and wellbeing include anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders and body image concerns, self-harm, asthma and back pain. Young women also experience higher risk of sexual harm and intimate partner violence, and are more likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases than men.

As they enter their reproductive years, women can experience conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual and pelvic pain. Pregnany and birth, assisted reproduction and infertility are also common health issues for young women.

-

Midlife Women 44 - 56 Years

Women in midlife commonly experience health conditions such as cancers, osteoarthritis and back pain. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are also prevalent, while weight managent, body image and eating disorders can continue to cause concern.

Midlife women also undergo perimenopause and menopause, often while managing dual caring responsibilities for children and ageing parents. Pelvic floor disorders and incontinence can also be experienced.

-

Older Women 57 - 80+ Years

For older women, the risk of respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer rises, along with risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the biggest killer of Australian women, yet is often under-recognised and under-diagnosed.

Dementia also emerges in this age group as a significant health condition, while osteoarthritis also remains prevalant. COVID-19 has also recently emerged as a significant health threat to older women, particularly those aged 85 plus.

-

Latest snapshot

Our alliance partners

Monash University Monash Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Alfred Health Cabrini Peninsula Health

Womens Health news

In a country with world-class cancer screening, some women are left behind

A world-first review of breast and cervical screening on women with severe mental illness has found that – globally – these women are less likely to seek screening for these significant diseases and often fall between the cracks
1 June, 2026 Womens Health

Study finds that treating depression in pregnancy can protect the child from emotional disorders as an infant and toddler

A Monash-led study has found that managing a woman’s depression during her pregnancy not only impacts her mental health but protects her child against developing emotional disorders such as anxiety as an infant and toddler, but does not shield
1 June, 2026 Womens Health

Largest study of ‘baby brain’ reveals that new parents are as astute as non-parents

The largest and most comprehensive study of memory and cognition in new parents has found no evidence for 'baby brain' in mums and dads.
29 May, 2026 Turner Institute

View more news

Be part of the conversation

Are you interested in learning more about women's health research?

Email: mwha@monash.edu

Catch up with us on social media and be a part of our online community, to stay up to date with the latest news, stories and updates.

#monashwomenshealthalliance