February is Black History Month and this year’s theme is “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. The theme, “celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future.” Healthcare in Canada has benefited enormously from the contributions of Black doctors, nurses and researchers who have historically faced major systemic barriers, but persisted nevertheless. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Black Canadians were not allowed to access medical education. Trai ..read more

As we ease into the new year, WHCC continues to prioritize our commitment to making the world a healthier and more inclusive place for all through promoting culturally sensitive care. According to the BC Medical Journal, culturally sensitive care involves modifying medical care to account for “language barriers, personal biases and assumptions, and lack of knowledge.” These practices are especially important in a country with a population as diverse as Canada’s. By respecting and responding to the unique needs of women in Canada, we can create a more effective and equitable healthcare system ..read more

Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC) was created as a strategic alliance to build an equitable and inclusive future for women’s healthcare and research. Founded in 2019 as a national not-for-profit organization by Canada’s leading women’s health and hospital foundations (Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, Women’s College Hospital Foundation and BC Women’s Health Foundation), WHCC partners with value aligned companies to effect meaningful change. WHCC has applied for charitable status. Together with Member institutions from across Canada we: Fund medical research that addresses the needs of ..read more

Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC) was created as a strategic alliance to build an equitable and inclusive future for women’s healthcare and research. Founded in 2019 as a national not-for-profit organization by Canada’s leading women’s health and hospital foundations (Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, Women’s College Hospital Foundation and BC Women’s Health Foundation), WHCC partners with value aligned companies to effect meaningful change. WHCC has applied for charitable status. Together with Member institutions from across Canada we: Fund medical research that addresses the needs of ..read more

Welcome to our final newsletter of 2023. We’d like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday season full of joy and good health! As the holiday season brings us closer to our loved ones, it’s a poignant reminder of the importance of good health. Heart disease is the leading cause of premature death in women in Canada, yet many women are unaware of the risks and signs that are unique to them. In the latest episode of the Rebel Mama Hotline, “What’s Up With Women’s Heart Health?” produced in collaboration with WHCC, the Rebel Mama spoke to Dr. Colleen Norris, about how wome ..read more

Women’s Health Collective Canada is proud to once again partner with Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health to raise critical funds for women’s health research. Until December 31, Shoppers Drug Mart® customers have the option to contribute to Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health in-store at self check-out or on-line at shoppersfoundation.ca. The partnership will also involve a $500,000 donation from the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, helping advance equity, excellence, and inclusion in research through WHCC and its members: Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, BC Women’s Health F ..read more

Pain is a complex and multifaceted experience that can be influenced by various factors. Chronic pain, which is defined as pain that persists for more than three months, is a common and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Studies have found that women are more likely than men to experience chronic pain. Women are biologically disposed to painful diseases to painful diseases, such as fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, and temporomandibular disorders (TMJ). While troubling, these statistics are a first step in addressing the systemi ..read more

Isaac Newton famously wrote that he “stood on the shoulders of giants”. The same can be said of the groundbreaking research conducted by WHCC-affiliated institutes, which exists in a long tradition of discoveries and investigations. Ovarian cancer research is one example. While it remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, there have been important advances in research about it over the last two hundred years. Here is a timeline of some of the important discoveries that have brought us to this point. WHCC’s mission is to support the kind of ..read more

Isaac Newton famously wrote that he “stood on the shoulders of giants”. The same can be said of the groundbreaking research conducted by WHCC-affiliated institutes, which exists in a long tradition of discoveries and investigations. Ovarian cancer research is one example. While it remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, there have been important advances in research about it over the last two hundred years. Here is a timeline of some of the important discoveries that have brought us to this point. WHCC’s mission is to support the kind of ..read more

Genes are segments of DNA containing instructions for building and maintaining humans. Alterations in DNA sequences — referred to as mutations — can impact a person’s health. Some mutations are related to environmental factors while others are inherited, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The occurrence of specific genetic characteristics varies among groups, and may be correlated with race, ethnicity or sex. There are several genetic conditions that specifically affect women. For example, everyone inherits two copies of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes at birth. These genes ..read more