Historically, the medical field has been dominated by male doctors and surgeons, leading to a gender bias in medical research. For centuries, medical studies focused primarily on male biology, excluding women from clinical trials. This resulted in a lack of understanding and attention to health issues unique to women, such as menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy, which were often sidelined as mere "women's issues."

The introduction of Women's Health Week marks a pivotal step towards addressing these disparities. Dr. Mathias appeared on Seven Sharp recently and emphasised the importance of annual health checks, encouraging wāhine to prioritise their health amidst their often demanding roles within families.

Women's Health Week is a health promotion and education campaign, offering a wealth of information on women's health issues through its dedicated website, womenshealthweek.nz