The Study’s 2022 report uses longitudinal data collected across the four cohorts of women in the ALSWH to focus on health and risk factors in midlife. The women in the 1973-78 cohort are just entering their middle years (now aged 43-48), and the 1946‑51 cohort are in their 70s, while the 1989-95 cohort are in their late 20s.

The report concentrates on changes for women in the 1946-51 cohort as they age from their 40s to their 70s. It also contrasts the experience of these women with those of the 1921-26 cohort (who may shed light on these women’s future health expectations) and those of the younger cohorts as they move into their middle years.

The report aims to improve understanding of midlife for women in Australia and the implications for health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. Findings can help identify intervention points at earlier stages of women’s lives to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and inform preventive health policy and targeted intervention strategies to improve women’s health and wellbeing over the medium and long term.

Download the full report (PDF)

Download the full report (Microsoft Word)

Health and wellbeing for women in midlife: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Mishra G, Barnes I, Byrnes E, Cavenagh D, Dobson A, Forder P, Hockey R, Loxton D, Townsend N & Byles J. Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Health, May 2022.