00:02Ruby Kneesler is on a mission. The 23-year-old is trawling for bargains at a discount supermarket, part of
00:09her weekly routine.
00:11I will generally only shop specials because you can't afford full price at bullies these days.
00:15With rent soaring, the maintenance electrician has had to choose between health check-ups and keeping a roof over her
00:21head.
00:21A little embarrassing. Went to the dentist for the first time in over a year the other day. It was
00:25fine, but yeah, it was just because I was so scared of the cost.
00:30Me and my friends, like, you know, we'll try and fix our own issues, whereas 10 years ago we'd gone
00:38to a professional for it.
00:39Ruby's not alone, according to a Deakin University study of women aged 18 to 40 battling the cost of living.
00:46Women were telling us that they were delaying going to the doctors, they weren't going to the dentist, and the
00:53financial stress was having a real impact on their mental health as well.
00:56Researchers focused on young women saying existing inequities like the gender pay gap or an unfair division of domestic labour
01:04made the group susceptible to further disadvantage.
01:07Almost 40% of those surveyed had dependent children.
01:10As a GP, many women, many parents will prioritise their children's health care, even maybe their own parents' health care,
01:19grandparents' health care, often ahead of their own.
01:22But doctors fear skipping regular health checks could have dire consequences.
01:27That may include a bowel cancer screening, cervical screening, breast screening.
01:32That often leads to maybe delayed diagnoses and complications down the road.
01:36The AMA has called for higher Medicare rebates, so no one is left behind.
01:41Those who were surveyed also suggested rental caps and raising the minimum wage.
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