Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI)

Dr. Ruth Elwood Martin, a WHRI member and former family physician in Vancouver, took a transformative path when a part-time role in prison medicine changed her life. Her innovative participatory research has greatly improved the well-being of incarcerated women and their infants. She initiated a prison cervical cancer screening pilot in 2000, and later became co-investigator on ‘HPV-FOCAL’, an evaluation study of HPV primary screening in British Columbia. Check out the latest media coverage here: https://lnkd.in/g4sPEFVa

Join us on November 20th, from 12-1 PM for our CW Research Lunch & Learn series. 📚🧠 WHRI and BCCHR experts Jesse Veenstra and Monica Ho will present “An Introduction to the Right to Participate (RTP): conducting respectful and inclusive research at C&W.” This presentation will cover the importance of RTP and resources available. Event details: https://lnkd.in/gajvz-84

This morning our WHRI/HER-BC Study Team was at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Health Care Forum 2024 | Menopause & Health Equity at Work Presented by Pacific Blue Cross. We are thrilled to be releasing the findings today from this landmark Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women and Menopause in BC (HER-BC) study. Grateful to have our project partner (BC Women’s Health Foundation), sponsor (Pacific Blue Cross), and be surrounded by a panel of thought leaders and experts to advance the dialogue on menopause in BC and how we can support midlife women. Read the report at: whri.org/HER-BC #MenopauseAwareness #WomensResearch #HealthResearch

Join us on November 15th, at 8 AM for BC Women’s Research Rounds. Featuring Professor Helen Skouteris, Head of the Health and Social Care Unit at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. She will discuss “The best start to life: Enhancing equity through implementation science.” Event details: https://lnkd.in/gwEvGbt 🎉 Monash University

On November 14th, we're hosting an expert panel on Menopause (mis)Information. This event is part of the PWHR 2024-2024 Seminar Series and the Science Up First national campaign #TogetherAgainstMisinformation. The panel will combat menopause misinformation and stigma and share science-based and community-informed resources. Join us for insightful presentations from leading experts, moderated by the founder of Menopause Chicks, Shirley Weir. Featured Speakers: Shirley Weir, Dr. Nese Yuksel, Dr. Iliana Lega, Luwana Listener, and Dr. Marina Adshade. Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT, 11:00 – 1:00 PM CT, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM AT. Click here to register and reserve your spot: https://lnkd.in/guuKkBMU

Join on November 6th from 6-8 PM for the inaugural Café Scientifique event hosted by the Canadian Cancer Society and UBC Cancer Prevention, Research Excellence Cluster. Explore the future of cervical cancer prevention and learn about HPV. Register:https://lnkd.in/g_hy4ghV #CervicalCancerPrevention #HPV #CaféScientifique #CancerResearch

On October 18th, to mark World Menopause Month, Dr. Lori Brotto, Director of the Women's Health Research Institute, discussed Menopause and Perimenopause on CTV Morning Live Vancouver. Watch the full video to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3wsXHeh #WorldMenopauseMonth #Menopause #Perimenopause

Today, October 18th, is #PersonsDay, commemorating the historical 1929 high court decision that legally recognized women as "persons" in Canada. This landmark decision was championed by the courageous Famous Five: Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, and Henrietta Muir Edwards. This victory paved the way for women to enter Canada’s Senate — where, as of September 7, 2023, 51 out of 94 sitting members (54.4%) are women. Yet, despite legal recognition of women as people and equitable representation of women in the Canadian Senate after close to a hundred years, there is still much work to be done.     It wasn’t until 1997 that Health Canada released guidance that promoted inclusion of women in clinical trials. The negative consequences of knowledge gaps for women’s health are enormous.    For example, heart disease is the biggest killer of Canadian women, but heart attack continues to be considered a man's disease–among the public, healthcare providers, and in much research. Men represent 80% to 90% of participants in the clinical studies shaping our diagnostic methods and treatments. As a result, women are underdiagnosed and treated less aggressively. More research is needed to develop appropriate tools to diagnose and treat women.      On Persons Day, PWHR not only applauds the progress that has been made but also calls for increased investment in female-specific and women’s health research. Today is a time to commemorate the valuable efforts of the Famous Five and all those who have fought for equal representation, health equity, women’s rights, and gender equality.     To learn about the Government of Canada’s most recent investment in funding women’s heart and brain health research, visit here: https://lnkd.in/g7bb92Ws     Learn more about this inspiring day and the steps forward: https://lnkd.in/g-gEmtVE  #WomensHealth #PWHRCanada #GenderEquality #HealthEquality #FamousFive

🌸 Today is World Menopause Day. 🌸 Join us on November 14th at 9 am PST for “Menopause (mis) Information,” part of the PWHR 2024-2025 Seminar Series. Let’s combat menopause misinformation and stigma together with expert insights and community-informed resources. 🔗 Register for this event and join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/guuKkBMU    #WorldMenopauseDay #TogetherAgainstMisinformation #MenopauseMisinformation #PWHRCanada  #MenopauseAwareness #MenopauseSupport

Registration Reminder! We are just one week away from the Beyond the Binary Knowledge Exchange, part of the PWHR 2024-2025 Seminar Series. On October 16th, we will be releasing the new, national, gender-inclusive language guide at this event. Want to learn about gender inclusive research? Join us for meaningful discussions, presentations, in addition to our newly released national guide. Hear from an incredible line-up of speakers, including, Elder Sandra Leo Laframboise, Teffer Adjemian, Jack Woodman, BC Pomeroy, and many more! All are welcome. Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT, 11:00 – 1:00 PM CT, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM AT. Register and reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/BTBCanada