Overall, unmet health needs can contribute to poor physical and mental health and affect women in all areas of their lives.
We know that new programs and areas of focus require resources – time, money and people. Senior leaders may ask for a business case to help advance initiatives. Our research provides the data to help you build a business case as to why it’s important to support women at work. We share insight on societal and health trends, perspectives directly from Canadian women and highlight education and advocacy efforts from our partners.
The gender health gap: its impact on working women in Canada. This research report provides insights from women in the workplace directly. It identifies concerning gaps and their effects on women's health.
A woman’s reproductive age stretches from puberty to pre-menopause (usually late teens to late 40s). During this stage, unique physiological challenges often include menstruation related disorders.
These can include premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, uterine or ovarian diseases (such as cancers and endometriosis) and infertility. Fertility challenges have doubled since the 1980s, with 1 in 6 couples in Canada experiencing infertility.
In Canada10, about 15% of couples have fertility problems, and 15-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Stigma around pregnancy loss can make the experience even more isolating.
Mental and physical health supports can help women and their families during the grieving and recovery process.
Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but also stressful and expensive. Most serious medical conditions and complications have support within the public healthcare system.
However, there are other supports that employers can provide, from coverage for doulas to pregnancy pillows.
The time immediately following the birth of a child can be challenging. These challenges may include the physical recovery process, hormone imbalances, lack of sleep, significant learning curve and social isolation.
In Canada, 23% of women who’ve recently given birth experience post-partum depression or anxiety.
Menopause occurs when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. It’s a continuum that includes three stages: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
The perimenopause stage usually happens in a woman’s mid-40s and can last up to 10 years. During this time, most women experience menopause symptoms, some of which can be severe. Three out of four women experience symptoms that interfere with their daily lives.
Symptoms tend to decrease in severity and frequency in post-menopause but can still affect a woman’s life.
