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Women's Health
The Impact of Social Media on Women's Mental Health
by Libert/ on 25 Aug 2024

The Impact of Social Media on Women's Mental Health

Social media has revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok have become integral to our daily lives, shaping how we perceive ourselves and others. For women, the influence of social media on mental health is a complex and multifaceted issue. While social media offers avenues for empowerment, connection, and self-expression, it also presents significant challenges, including body image concerns, self-esteem issues, and exposure to cyberbullying.

Women's Health
Your Guide to Women’s Wellness and Tips from a Dental Hygienist
by Mira/ on 20 Jun 2024

Your Guide to Women’s Wellness and Tips from a Dental Hygienist

At WomensHealthData.ca, we understand that healthy living is essential for women who aim to prevent illness, live longer, and enjoy a happier life. Balancing the demands of work, household chores, and busy schedules can take a toll on your health, but prioritizing wellness can help you thrive. From stress management to high-quality healthcare, nurturing yourself is key to a vibrant life. An often-overlooked aspect of this is oral health, which plays a significant role in overall wellness.

Women's Health
Essential Nutrients for Women's Health: What You Need to Know
by Joanna/ on 17 Jun 2024

Essential Nutrients for Women's Health: What You Need to Know

Women's health encompasses a wide range of physical, mental, and social well-being aspects. Addressing these health concerns is crucial for improving the quality of life and longevity of women. This article aims to provide valuable insights into key areas of women's health, highlighting essential nutrients, health tips, and preventive measures. Key Areas of Women's Health Reproductive Health Reproductive health is a significant component of women's health, covering various aspects such as menstruation, contraception, fertility, and menopause.

Women's Clinics
Women’s Clinics And Healthcare
by Karla/ on 21 Sep 2022

Women’s Clinics And Healthcare

Women’s health is an essential part of everyday living. All women need to ensure that they take care of their health and well-being. Visit a women’s clinic to find out all you need to know and receive expert advice about keeping in the best health possible. Stay In The Best Shape Whether it is by doing more exercise daily, learning how to deal with stress, or getting an eating plan that you can make a lifestyle, a women’s clinic has it all for you.

Perimenopause Symptoms
Perimenopause Symptoms
by Karla/ on 20 Jan 2022

Perimenopause Symptoms

Menopause is a well-known stage of life that affects many women. But, what is lesser-known, is that it can actually be divided into different stages – one of which is perimenopause. This is the intermediate stage, before menopause occurs, and can affect you differently from menopause in many ways, including your body weight. They also require different treatments. So What Is Perimenopause? Symptoms of perimenopause can be seen as much as eight to ten years before actual menopause occurs, and is marked by a drop in the female-produced hormone, oestrogen.

Thyroid Disease
Thyroid Disease
by Karla/ on 14 Apr 2020

Thyroid Disease

A big factor in women’s health is thyroid disease. Several activities in your body are regulated by the thyroid hormone, thyroxine, including how fast your heart beats and how fast you burn calories. Your thyroid also releases the thyroid hormone, and thyroid diseases result in your thyroids producing too much or too little of it, which can make you feel worn and tired. Thyroid diseases also have an effect on weight loss and gain.

Asthma
Asthma
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Asthma

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions for Canadian children and also affects many adults[1]. Symptoms or asthma attacks usually occur after exposure to allergens, viral respiratory infections, exercise, or irritant fumes or gases. These exposures cause both an inflammation of the airway wall and abnormal narrowing of the airways, causing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing[2].

Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health And Safety
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Occupational Health And Safety

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition The workplace environment is a significant determinant of women’s health. Work-related “injuries” (which include illnesses) [1] are notoriously under-reported [2]. In Canada, the official rates for these injuries are going down; women’s rates have not declined as much as men’s [3]. Health and social work sectors, where women dominate, accounted for about one-third of 2008’s injuries [4]. Other types of hazards, including ergonomic and stress/work organization (common hazards for women), can lead to and/or worsen health effects of chemical exposures [5,6].

Potential Years of Life Lost
Potential Years Of Life Lost (PPYL)
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Potential Years Of Life Lost (PPYL)

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Potential years of life lost (PPYL) is a measure of the relative impact of various disease and lethal forces on society [1]. PYLL highlights the loss to society as a result of youthful or early deaths. The figure for potential years of life lost due to a particular cause is the sum, over all persons dying from that cause, of the years that these persons would have lived had they experienced normal life expectation (typically 75 years for Canadian calculations) [2].

Sense of Community Belonging
Sense Of Community Belonging
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Sense Of Community Belonging

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Sense of community belonging refers to the interaction that a person has with others in their community and the community as a whole [1]. Sense of community belonging is linked to the notion of social capital, which refers to the social organization of communities that allows for interaction between community members [3]. People with a high sense of community belonging are likely to have more ties to other individuals.

Social Support
Social Support
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Social Support

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Social support refers to an individual’s feeling of belonging to a social network of friends, family, and/or community that one can turn to for advice and assistance in times of need. The various types of social support include: (1) emotional support (liking, love, empathy); (2) instrumental support (time, money, assistance in-kind); (3) informational support (providing advice, guidance); and (4) appraisal (affirmation, social feedback) [1].

Suicide
Suicide
by Karla/ on 05 May 2018

Suicide

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition The suicide rate refers to the number of suicide deaths per 100,000 population, (age adjusted) [1]. Suicidal behaviours extend beyond suicide deaths to include suicide ideation (thoughts of suicide) as well as suicide attempts (suicidal behaviour not resulting in death). The Canadian suicide rate in 2005 was 12 per 100,000 for the total population (males and females); 5 deaths per 100 000 for females and 18 per 100 000 for males.

Arthritis
Arthritis
by Karla/ on 07 Mar 2018

Arthritis

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Arthritis and related conditions make up a large group of disorders affecting the joints, ligaments, tendons, bones and other components of the musculoskeletal system[1]. Arthritis commonly manifests as pain, swelling, or stiffness in or around a joint(s). Although arthritis is most prevalent among seniors, it is not solely confined to the elderly population. Nearly 4.5 million Canadians aged 12 years and older reported arthritis and related conditions as of 2005, two-thirds of these being women[2].

Sexual Behaviour
Sexual Behaviour
by Karla/ on 07 Mar 2018

Sexual Behaviour

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Healthy sexuality and sexual health are both components of healthy living [1], as well as access to contraception (e.g., condoms), prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS, and deciding when and how to be sexually active. Canadian sexual behaviour data are fairly limited as the focus of national health surveys is on risky behaviours related to STIs and HIV/AIDS and only women under the age of 50 were surveyed.

Food Insecurity
Food Insecurity
by Karla/ on 06 Mar 2018

Food Insecurity

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Food insecurity was originally defined as the simple lack of adequate amounts of food, but it is now understood as a broader concept that includes lack of access to high quality and quantities of food, as well as worry about having enough food. Health Canada considers households to be experiencing food insecurity if “at times during the previous year, these households were uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money for food” [1].

Physical Violance
Physical Violance
by Karla/ on 06 Mar 2018

Physical Violance

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”[1]. The pattern of abuse is an enduring, traumatic, and complex experience that isolates and controls women, whether or not it includes physical or sexual violence.

Second Hand Smoke
Environmental / Second Hand Smoke
by Karla/ on 05 Mar 2018

Environmental / Second Hand Smoke

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Environmental tobacco smoke, or second-hand smoke (SHS), is defined as the smoke exhaled by a smoker or the smoke released by the end of a burning cigarette, pipe, or cigar [1]. SHS contains over 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which are known carcinogens [2]. SHS is extremely damaging to the health of those that inhale it, raising their risk of heart problems, lung cancer, and respiratory disease [1].

Prescription Drugs
Prescription Drugs
by Karla/ on 05 Mar 2018

Prescription Drugs

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Women’s use of benzodiazepines and sleeping pills has been identified as a critical health issue for many years. Benzodiazepines are some of the most commonly prescribed, including drugs like Xanax and Ativan, and are used to treat anxiety, tension, and insomnia by slowing down the nervous system. It is estimated that 1 in 10 Canadians report using a benzodiazepine at least once a year and continue using them for at least one year [1].

Sedentary Behaviour
Sedentary Behaviour
by Karla/ on 05 Mar 2018

Sedentary Behaviour

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Television viewing, computer use, reading, occupational sitting, and motorized transportation are classified by many research experts as sedentary behaviours. In recent years, this concept has evolved as distinct from “lack of physical activity” due to the significant health impacts independently associated with sedentary behaviour, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes mellitus, some cancers, abnormal glucose metabolism, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease [1]. Some claim these sedentary behaviours also induce psychological problems such as depression [2], lower self-esteem, decreased academic performance [2], and reduced bone mineral density [3].

Age of Smoking Initiation
Age Of Smoking Initiation
by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Age Of Smoking Initiation

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Age of smoking initiation is defined as the age at which a person first uses cigarettes. Age of smoking initiation is an important indicator of health due to increased risks of becoming addicted, difficulties quitting, and the development of tobacco-related health problems the younger a person is when he or she begins smoking [1]. Examples of health problems associated with early smoking initiation include a higher risk of lung cancer [2] and, a higher susceptibility to lung damage [3], among many others.

Alcohol
Alcohol
by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Alcohol

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Alcohol is the most common substance used by women. Over the past decade, women’s use of alcohol has increased. Studies suggest that women are less likely to drink and less likely to report heavy drinking than men but that drinking patterns are changing. In 2010, an estimated 10% of Canadian women reported being heavy drinkers, defined as 5 drinks or more on one occasion [1].

Anemia
Anemia
by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Anemia

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Anemia is a health condition occurring when there is a lack of hemoglobin or too few red blood cells to carry oxygen needed to the organs and tissues [1]. Anemia may occur when (1) the body loses a lot of blood; (2) the body does not make enough red blood cells (RBCs); (3) RBCs cannot carry oxygen; and/or (4) RBCs are destroyed faster than they can be replaced [2].

Cervical
Cervical
by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Cervical

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Cervical cancer screening has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer. The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test is used to detect changes to cervical cells and women are recommended to have regular Pap tests in order to detect cell changes while treatment can be effective (before they become cancerous). While cervical cancer is the tenth most common cancer among Canadian women of all ages, it is the third most common among women aged 20 to 49[1].

Contact With Mental Health Provider
Contact With Mental Health Provider
by Karla/ on 12 Jan 2018

Contact With Mental Health Provider

Sex and Gender-based Analysis of this topic Definition Until recently, the mental health of Canadians was mainly monitored through hospitalization and mortality data. In order to capture data on care that occurs outside hospital settings, as well as data from individuals who suffer from mental illness but do not die as a consequence, Statistics Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) implemented a new cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) in 2002.

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