At this week’s Connexions to Health Equity Summit, held by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, Kimberly Carson, CEO of Breast Cancer Canada, delivered a compelling and urgent message about the need for progress in women’s health. The event, partnered with Pfizer Canada, focused on a range of crucial topics, highlighting systemic inequities and exploring ways to address them.
Breaking Down Barriers in Women’s Health
Kimberly’s talk was a call to action on several fronts. She pointed out that despite advancements, women still face significant hurdles in accessing quality healthcare. One of the major issues she addressed was the need to improve breast cancer screenings, particularly for women aged 40 to 49. This age group often has to self-advocate to get the screenings they need, and many still encounter barriers to timely and effective care.
Key Issues Discussed
The summit didn’t just stop at breast cancer. It covered a broad spectrum of women’s health topics, each crucial to advancing equity and care:
Contraceptives and Reproductive Health: Improving access to contraceptives and reproductive health services was a major focus. Ensuring that all women can make informed choices about their reproductive health is fundamental to gender equity.
Fertility Treatments: Expanding support for fertility treatments was another key topic. Many women face challenges in accessing the care they need to start or grow their families, and increasing support in this area is vital.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings: There was a strong emphasis on improving health screenings for both breast and cervical cancers. Regular and accessible screenings are crucial for early detection and better outcomes for women.
Menopause Care: Providing comprehensive care for women going through menopause was also discussed. This phase of life comes with its own set of challenges, and addressing these with appropriate care and support is essential.
A Path Forward
Kimberly’s insights and the panel discussions made it clear that women’s health needs are diverse and complex. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, and the summit was an important step towards sparking how our healthcare system serves women.
The conversations at the summit are just the beginning. By focusing on these key areas and advocating for systemic changes, we can work towards a more equitable healthcare system where all women receive the care they need — and deserve.
Here’s to continuing the momentum and making lasting improvements in women’s health.
