Women's Health

Mushrooms, nuts and collard greens: Nutrition and how to lower the odds of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the product of many factors over a lifetime. While some of those factors are out of our control, others like diet offer opportunities to mitigate risk.

Decolonizing sexual and reproductive health: A conversation led by the Period Priority Project

The Period Priority Project aims to breakdown and unpack the nuances of colonial period shame and start new conversations about reproductive justice.

‘We’re not going to silently suffer through these symptoms’: Breaking the silence and stigma around menopause

There are significant gaps in menopause care across the country. But there are things we can do to change that. Women don't have to suffer through these symptoms and live a lesser quality of life.

Women’s health in the workplace. Here’s why businesses should care.

Women’s health is not only a matter of personal well-being but also a business imperative. We need approaches to bridge the women’s health gap and build inclusive workplaces.

Navigating the digital sea of beauty: Empowering Canadians through media literacy for positive body image and public health

Body-image concerns have soared with the constant exposure to digitally altered and idealized portrayals of beauty. Media literacy is a critical tool in dismantling the harmful impact of such imagery and thoughts.

We have the tools to prevent ovarian cancer. Why aren’t we using them?

About 20 per cent of the ovarian cancer cases in Canada diagnosed each year are in people who carry a mutation and are most likely preventable. Genetic testing can become more accessible. Why are we waiting? 

Breast-milk donor models are flawed: A path forward to meet demand

The three main institutions vying for breast-milk donations have demonstrated an unwillingness to collaborate with one another. As demand for donor milk increases, the downstream effects are going to be felt most by parents and their infants.

Toward a healthier pregnancy: Overcoming barriers to prenatal exercise

By participating in evidence-based prenatal physical activity, pregnant people can increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes for themselves and their babies.

Postpartum depression isn’t the biggest issue for mothers. Postpartum anxiety is

Postpartum anxiety is more than three times more prevalent than postpartum depression yet we hear about it far less often.

Finding your energy envelope: Long COVID patients urged to ‘pace’ themselves back to health

For many long COVID patients, returning to activity can cause debilitating "crashes." But symptom management techniques like pacing can offer relief and may even help some patients slowly recover.

Trust us to make our own decisions about breast-cancer screenings

The new U.S. guidance on breast-cancer screening shouldn’t be controversial or a “both sides” issue in Canada. It should serve as a model for the change we need.

What is the price of human life? Cutting off uninsured is ‘irresponsible’

We strongly recommend that the Ontario government reverse its decision to eliminate coverage for medically necessary services for uninsured individuals.

‘I’m proud of how far I’ve come’: Using sports to overcome mental, physical challenges

"I went from not wanting to be an amputee to really appreciating that I am an amputee. I take pride in the things that it has allowed me to do – travelled the world on the national para-ski racing team and public speaking."

Uninsured health cuts and pregnancy: Why all Canadians should care

Many of the funding cuts to the uninsured will impact pregnant people. These health cuts are costly - not just to the burdens of the health-care system, but to our sense of humanity and fundamental Canadian values.

What will happen to Ontario’s uninsured? Experts weigh in

Adding to the list of lifted pandemic policies, Ontario will no longer cover the cost hospital services and physicians fees for the previously uninsured. Without OHIP for these groups, what can we expect to see? Is this the right move? Experts weigh in.

It’s time to ban NDAs

Non-disclosure agreements carry significant emotional and physical consequences for victims of gender violence and sexual harassment.  Why are they still allowed?

Having breast cancer impacts sexuality: Why don’t we talk about it?

It's common for women to struggle with sexual health issues after breast cancer. But it isn’t just our bodies that change; the experience of cancer changes our relationship with time, aging and even the arc of life that we imagine for ourselves.

How to keep young children with RSV out of the ICU

Nearly every child will contract RSV in their lifetime. Therefore the challenges lies not in preventing RSV infection, but in preventing infections from becoming severe. Breastfeeding may be one way to overcome this challenge.

‘A new way to move people’: Fewer back injuries for health-care workers, more comfort for patients

New improvements to lifts and transfer devices could reduce the risks of work-related injury in health care staff and improve quality of care.

Odds are there is a woman in your life living with diabetes – she deserves better research

As the world celebrates another International Women’s Day, we should reflect on what gender equality really means. Science and research needs to adequately address women's health needs.