Bold truth first: the cost-of-living crisis is driving young women to neglect their own health and basic needs, a pattern that’s becoming more common than many realize. Here's how the story unfolds and why it matters.
Every week, 23-year-old Ruby Neisler starts by hunting for bargains. She shops at Tribe of Judah, a church-supported discount supermarket in Logan, just south of Brisbane. This store sells many items at deep discounts, especially pantry staples nearing their end of shelf life. When she goes to the major supermarkets, she says she’s forced to buy only what’s on sale, since full-priced items stretch her budget after paying rent.
"Here, I can afford a decent meal… I’m not scrimping on ingredients," she explained. "And the laundry stuff—I can buy it all in one go without it hurting."
Shane Wallace, the operations manager, notes a shift over the past year: more young families, including women, are seeking cheaper options for everyday essentials. "Customers tell us that the cost of living is rising in every household," he observed.
A growing study shows that Ruby isn’t alone in this struggle. Deakin University researchers examined how young women are coping with financial pressure. The study, published in Health Promotion International, surveyed 570 Australian women aged 18–40 and found many were skipping meals or postponing medical care to save money.
Dr. Simone McCarthy, the study’s lead author, explains the focus on younger women because they’re at a life stage where financial choices influence long-term goals—home ownership, education, career progression. "This is a time when decisions about the future are front and center, and financial strain can have lasting effects," she said. The data show women trading off basic wellbeing to make ends meet, including lower-quality food or skipping meals altogether.
McCarthy also highlights how the cost crisis sharpens health inequities. Although the group included many educated respondents—nearly half held bachelor’s degrees or postgraduate qualifications, and about 40% were employed full time—almost 40% had dependent children. The message is clear: financial stress magnifies gendered disparities, exacerbated by factors like the gender pay gap and the heavy, often unpaid, caregiving load.
Delays in healthcare carry real risks. Neisler admits she recently faced a dental visit after more than a year, driven by cost fears. "I was scared of the bill," she said. Her peers sometimes try to fix problems themselves instead of seeking professional care. Ten years ago, she notes, they would have prioritized seeing a professional.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) warns about the consequences of delaying care. In Queensland, AMA President Dr Nick Yim points to missed screenings such as mammograms and cervical checks. Delays can lead to later diagnoses, more complicated conditions, and even tragic outcomes. He adds that many women often put their children’s health—and sometimes their parents’ or grandparents’ health—before their own.
In short, the study portrays a troubling link between economic strain and women’s health outcomes. The question many readers may ask is this: how can communities and policymakers better support young women facing these pressures so they don’t have to choose between groceries and essential healthcare? Is there a balance to strike between cost-saving measures and safeguarding long-term health to prevent a slipping cycle of poverty and illness?
