A new female health policy, released by the Gillard Government and reported in The Australian, warns that the ageing of the female population could have profound impacts on the health and Medicare systems. Projections indicate that women will make up an increasing proportion of the old and very old segment of the Australian population over time.

 "The ageing of the female population will have a significant impact on the Australian health system. For example, the burden of disease associated with dementia in women is estimated to double in the next 20 years," the policy document says.

The policy found anxiety and depression was the biggest burden on women's health, with 10% of the total burden.

Heart disease was next with 8.9%, followed by stroke 5.1%; type 2 diabetes 4.9%; dementia 4.8%; and breast cancer 4.8%.