Is medical misogyny really a mystery? Why do we know more about some bodies than others? How do sex and gender influence our experiences in Australia’s health system?
SBS News journalist Catriona Stirrat explores medical misogyny and discrimination in the Australian health system in the new SBS News podcast, ‘Hysterical’. The series provides a much-needed health check on nuances of birth trauma, barriers on sexual and reproductive health, and patterns of delayed diagnoses. It delves into the medical challenges that women, trans and gender diverse people face every day, which may not be much of a mystery at all.
“I think the themes and experiences in this series will resonate with a lot of people. While we’re privileged in Australia with our health system, it’s clear there are certain communities that continue to feel dismissed or even discriminated against, and the current efforts to address this are offering hope in this space,” said Stirrat.
“Hearing a wide range of stories from women, trans and gender diverse people – whether it’s the dismissal of pain, experiences of birth trauma, or bias around whose bodies we study – emphasises the need for conversations about fairer health outcomes for all.”
The seven-part podcast series investigates the findings of the Victorian Inquiry into Women’s Pain and the Federal Government’s End Gender Bias Survey, with episodes uncovering; the history of hysteria and the travelling womb with Professor Jane Ussher, discrimination faced by trans and gender diverse people with Dr Joe Latham, prioritisation of fertility over pain management with Patricia (not her real name), bias, birth trauma and pain dismissal with First Nations woman Sam Hall and unpacking the default white male body with non-binary person Max.
Hysterical is available now on Youtube, the SBS Audio app, or wherever you stream your podcasts.
SBS News podcast Cost of Living Secrets is also available to stream on the SBS Audio app, LiSTNR or wherever you stream your podcasts.