“Help young women to survive”: the cost-of-living crisis and the well-being of younger Australian women

The increased pressures associated with the cost-of-living crisis (CoLC) have been demonstrated to impact population health. Research has shown that women are particularly vulnerable to negative life and health experiences associated with cost-of-living pressures, which are exacerbated by a range of gendered structural inequities. To date, very few studies have qualitatively explored the impact of the CoLC on the lives of women. A qualitative online survey was conducted with n = 570 younger Australian women (18-40 years old). The study explored the health and social impacts of the CoLC on younger women's lives and their suggestions about the range of policy responses that could help women during times of economic crisis. Three themes were constructed from the data using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. First, participants described the CoLC as a source of stress that shaped their everyday lives, particularly in relation to food insecurity, unaffordable housing, student debt, and insecure or underpaid employment. Second, the CoLC was perceived to have a direct negative impact on participants' health and social outcomes, with participants reporting that they were sacrificing basic needs, avoiding necessary medical and dental care, and experiencing impacts on their mental health. Third, participants called for consideration of equity in policy reform, housing and pricing reform, and expanded healthcare access. The findings highlight the urgent need for gender-responsive economic and social policies in order to reduce health inequities exacerbated by financial crises.