Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health: new podcast series launched to strengthen care across life stages

• Health and Wellbeing Queensland has launched its third podcast series designed for health professionals: Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health
• The nine-part series explores key health stages from adolescence through midlife, menopause and beyond 
• Topics for the series were informed by Queensland Health consultation with 12,000 women, girls and health professionals, as well as Clinical Excellence Queensland (CEQ) research
• The series includes insights and evidence-based strategies to strengthen preventive health care, early intervention, and conversations with women and girls
• The podcast is available via Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s Clinician’s Hub and major podcast platforms.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland has launched a new nine-part podcast series designed to empower health professionals to deliver more confident, informed and empathetic care for women and girls.

Informed by Queensland Health consultation with 12,000 women, girls and health professionals, the Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health podcast explores the pivotal stages throughout a woman and girl’s life – from early adolescence through midlife, menopause and beyond.

Hosted by seasoned journalist and broadcaster Victoria Carthew, the series brings together Queensland’s leading health professionals to discuss preventive health as it relates to sexual and reproductive health, health behaviours, physical and mental wellbeing, antenatal preventive health, menopause, healthy ageing and chronic disease.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Chief Executive, Dr Robyn Littlewood said the series aimed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and confidence to have meaningful preventive health conversations with women and girls.

‘Women’s health needs are dynamic and complex, and this podcast series is about supporting our health professionals with expert insights and accessible, practical knowledge they can use every day to improve lifelong wellbeing,’ Dr Littlewood said.

‘It’s also a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the different health needs that women and girls experience throughout their life, and how preventive care and early intervention can make a lasting difference,’ she said.

The Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health podcast builds on the success of Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s earlier series – Clinician’s Guide to Healthy Kids (2023) and Clinician’s Guide to the First 2000 Days (March 2025) – which together have attracted thousands of listens and strong engagement from health professionals across Queensland.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland Program Lead and Advanced Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist Fiona Nave said topics featured on Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health draws on the voices and lived experience of thousands of Queenslanders.

‘The extensive consultation undertaken by Queensland Health captured insights from consumers and health professionals, and this series directly responds to what clinicians told us they need – dynamic, easy-to-access resources to help them integrate sensitive and effective conversations around health behaviours into their daily clinical interactions with women and girls,’ Ms Nave said.

‘Our experts break things down in a way that makes it easier for clinicians to promote early intervention and preventive health and to deliver care that can make a lasting difference.’

Podcast host Victoria Carthew said the podcast wasn’t just educational for health professionals, it was inspiring for anyone who wanted to better understand and support the health and wellbeing of the women and girls in their life.

‘As a mum of three (including twin teenage girls), and as someone also navigating midlife myself, I found the conversations both fascinating and reassuring,’ Ms Carthew said.

‘Our experts didn’t just share medical knowledge – they shared real-world perspectives to help us understand the changing health needs of women and girls, and how important it is to feel seen, supported and empowered at every age.’

The first two episodes for Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health are available now, with the remaining seven episodes to be released weekly from Monday, 2 February 2026.  

• Episode 1 – Navigating teen sexual health and relationship: School-based youth health nurse Elle Blackburn and Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Professor Rebecca Kimble explore reproductive development, wellbeing and healthy relationships for girls aged 11–17. 

• Episode 2 – Supporting teen wellbeing – body and mind: Psychiatrist Dr Renee Denham and GP Dr Aaron Chambers unpack how health professionals can better support adolescent mental health, identity and resilience during the teenage years. 

• Episode 3 – Reproductive health in early adulthood: GP Dr Vanessa Siu and Gynaecologist Dr Sally Cohen explore how women’s bodies and fertility change in early adulthood, and the crucial role health professionals play in providing safe, supportive care and empowering women through education. 

• Episode 4 – Building healthy habits in the 20s & 30s: Accredited Practising Dietitian Lauren Pearson and Psychologist Hayley Archbell explore how trust, connection and open conversations can support girls’ mental health, reduce stigma, and build resilience, confidence and self-awareness as they transition into adulthood. 

• Episode 5 – Antenatal care in the maternal years: GP Dr Kim Nolan and Midwife Gemma Macmillan examine the transition to motherhood, sharing practical strategies for clinicians to support women’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond. 

• Episode 6 – Strengthening habits for women 40+: GP Dr Ruchika Luhach and Clinical and Research Dietitian Dr Carrie-Anne Lewis explore the physical and mental health challenges women face in their 30s and 40s, sharing practical strategies for clinicians to support wellbeing and help women thrive during this pivotal life stage. 

• Episode 7 – Menopause & healthy ageing: Epidemiologist Professor Gita Mishra and Endocrinologist and Obstetric Physician Dr Sheila Cook unpack the evidence on menopause, from early menopause and hormone therapy to long-term cardiovascular, mental and musculoskeletal health. 

• Episode 8 – Thriving in your 50s: Physiotherapist Sarah Myles and GP Dr Meg Cairns explore women’s evolving health needs beyond menopause, offering practical, evidence-informed strategies to support vitality, independence, and wellbeing in later life. 

• Episode 9 – Healthy ageing in the senior years: GP Dr Sian Edwards and Accredited Practising Dietitian Dr Anthony Villani examine what healthy ageing looks like for women over 60, highlighting the role of strength, mobility, independence, and overall wellbeing in later life. 

The Clinician’s Guide to Women and Girls’ Health podcast is an initiative of Health and Wellbeing Queensland and is funded by Clinical Excellence Queensland. 

The series is available on HWQld’s Clinicians Hub – a digital library of tools, training and resources for health professionals – and on all major podcast platforms. 

Visit www.hw.qld.gov.au/clinicians-podcast to listen or subscribe.

Media contact details: Health and Wellbeing Queensland, 0439 599 210