We’re very lucky to live in a country where we don’t have to pay exorbitant amounts for regular doctor’s checkups. But as much as it’s a beneficial system, in many areas, women are being overlooked.
Research done by the Women’s College Hospital found that women’s needs, including physiology, cultural challenges and life circumstances are not taken into consideration. Women in marginalized or disadvantaged communities have it even worse – they are even more frequently overlooked. That’s what we call the Health Gap. The health cap overlooks women, and disallows them access to the proper health care. The current state of the health care system overlooks the individual needs of each gender.
“The Health Gap significantly impacts women’s health and their quality of life. As a world leader in advocating for and advancing the health of women, Women’s College Hospital felt it was our responsibility to raise awareness of this important issue” says Marilyn Emery, President and Chief Executive Office of Women’s College Hospital. “With many health conditions, women present differently than men and require treatment and care that recognizes the differences between genders. This is often exacerbated by various societal factors that impact many women – family responsibilities, cultural biases or stigmatization – leading to additional barriers to accessing care and creating a Health Gap which must be addressed.”
The wonderful team at Toronto’s women’s College Hospital have identified just exactly where women aren’t receiving the top care.
Healthcare Research – Women are more at risk for certain diseases. Women’s bodies also adapt to different treatments How important is this to research into? Research trials are tested more frequently on men, so women are disproportionally leaning towards men.
Cardiac Health – Every year, heart disease takes more women’s ‘s lives then men. But, only 35% of research study participants are women.
Mental Health – Women experience depression twice as often as men. Women are also three times more likely than men to experience barriers when attempting to access mental health care. Women also have to deal with periods, cramps, pregnancy, and menopause. All significant life events that come with lots of lots of emotions.
Those are just a few of the areas that wome are being seriously overlooked.
Read more here
Women’s College Hospital is working hand in hand with the health gap to do some groundbreaking research and make advances towards equality.
“Incredible, groundbreaking work is happening at Women’s College Hospital every day and it’s impacting not only the patients who walk through our doors, it’s helping to advance the health of women across the province, the country and around the world,” said Emery. “We’re reaching out to our partners and colleagues throughout the health sector and asking them to join us in affecting change and to help us close the Health Gap for women.”
I’m pretty outraged about this. But we can be part of the amendment. On April 11th, Women’s College ran a campaign to help spread the word.
