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The well-being of women in Canada is affected by a social, cultural, political and economic factors that impact women and men differently. Exploring women’s health, as outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action (1995), is a commitment to gender equality.
Gender determines women’s access to treatment, ability to finance additional extra health care costs, household responsibilities and security from violence. It is important that women have access to both health education and medical services in a women-centered environment.
Factors that may limit access:
- Geography: In some rural, remote or northern communities, health education, care facilities and care providers may be scarce or non-existent.
- Poverty: Transportation, food costs, accommodation and child care costs can be a significant deterrent to seeking care in a timely fashion. Drugs, medical supplies and nursing home care are beyond the reach of many. Culture: Language, gender, and cultural mores can have a negative impact.
- Disabilities: Disability has a severe impact on access to health care.
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Aboriginal and Immigrant Women
Lack of access to routine medical screening procedures such as pap smears, mammograms and blood tests can adversely affect health outcomes in this segment of the population. Maternal diabetes and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can play significant roles in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Heart Disease
It is the number one killer of women, and gender plays a role. There’s a need for proactive education about the risks to women, including the need to limit sodium intake and to address lifestyle choices such as smoking that adversely affect women.
Sex Workers and Marginalized Women
These women experience some of the worst health outcomes due to substance abuse, trauma, HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and violence.
Caregivers
Women caregivers who look after aging parents, children and children and adults with disabilities, are at risk for anxiety, depression, stress, and poor mental health outcomes. Women’s mental health is defined and treated differently than that of men. The stress and trauma is endured silently, largely because caregiving is viewed as women’s work. |
