Introduction and reflections
Canada is one of the wealthiest nations in the world. It also has one of the highest life expectancy rates for women in the world. Women’s health refers to the unique health issues faced by them. Doctors define women health as the physical, mental and emotional well being of women. I have chosen this topic to highlight the health issues faced by women in Canada. Canadian women are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
There is a lack of understanding in our health system about the factors which address women’s issues concerning health. Gender bias has led to women being affected as paid and unpaid health care providers. Cardiovascular disease and breast cancer are the major diseases which are affecting Canadian women. Poverty and violence against women are also creating a negative impact on their health. This article gives details about cardiovascular disease and breast cancer as the major health issues faced by Canadian women. It also provides the impact of poverty and violence against women. Finally some suggestions are made to improve the health system.
Poverty
According to research there were an estimated 2.5 million Canadian women living in poverty in the year 2006. Poverty is not a permanent state for Canadian women. Factors like childbirth and broken marriages might lead to a temporary state of low income. Women are more likely to experience poverty in Canada. There are many reasons for women’s poverty. It is closely related to background and family status.
Aboriginal women are poorer according to research as compared with non aboriginal women. At least 36 percent of Aboriginal women were living in poverty according to the 2001 census. They have been affected by social assistance policies. Their life expectancy is several years less than that of the Canadian population. There are thrice as many infant deaths in Aboriginal communities (Ash, 2003).
Minority women are also very poor according to the 2001 census. Racism and discrimination play a part in poverty among minorities. Immigrant women face difficulties in obtaining paid employment because their academic degrees are not recognized in Canada. Disabled women form another group of poor women in Canada. There is some income support for disabled women but the rates are low (Ash, 2003).
Single parent mothers are also another vulnerable group for poverty. Most single parent mothers rely on social assistance. However this amount is usually very low. Older women also have low incomes in Canada. In 2006 at least 18 percent of older women were considered to have a low income.
Violence
Canadian women are also vulnerable to violence and abuse. At least half of Canadian women have been victims of physical and sexual violence. There is also a high homicide rate against women by spouses. Young women are more vulnerable to domestic violence. Sexual violence is rarely reported in police stations. The medical costs of violence amount to a staggering $1.1 billion against women in Canada (Armstrong, 1999).
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in Canada. At least 41 percent of deaths of Canadian women are from cardiovascular disease. This disease includes high blood pressure, stroke, arrhythmias and ischemic heart disease. Cardiovascular diseases usually occurs a decade later in women. The costs of treating Canadian women have reached $777 million in 2006. Smoking is considered the major cause of cardiovascular disease in women. Further Canadian women are less concerned about cardiovascular disease. They are less likely to seek medical attention for heart problems. Women belonging to low income and social backgrounds are more vulnerable to smoke and obesity. These factors contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (Bernier, 1999).
Cardiovascular disease can cause serious economic and social impacts. The social costs of the disease are the potential years which are lost. Many women die from stroke. Women who are immigrants and belonging to minorities are more vulnerable to die from cardiovascular disease. They have low education and employment opportunities. This results in them starting smoking and becoming obese. Both factors lead to cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking are some of the risk factors of heart disease. According to research at least 56 percent of Canadian women possess one or more of the high risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure, old age, smoking and ischemic heart disease. In Canada high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke in women. Majority of women in Canada do not receive appropriate tests and treatment for cardiovascular diseases (Fuller, 2005).
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women. There has been a 25% increase in breast cancer between 1980 and 2007. Age and country of birth are the primary risk factors for breast cancer. Hormonal factors also play an important role in breast cancer. Never completing a full term pregnancy increases the risk of cancer. Exposure to high levels of radiation is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Finally there are genetic factors which increase the risk of breast cancer if it is prevalent in the family.
The incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer vary in the provinces of Canada. British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta have high rates of breast cancer. However these provinces also have low mortality rates as compared to other parts of Canada. Taking hormone replacement therapy and being overweight are some of the major causes of breast cancer in Canada. Exposure to radiation before the age of 2 increases the risk of cancer. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of Canadian women have one or more risk factors for breast cancer (Fuller, 2005). Research has found that women with dense breasts are at about six times risk of developing breast cancer in Canada. Dense tissue also causes difficulty in locating tumors in a mammogram. This increases cancer development between tests. Canadian women living in urban areas have denser breasts. This makes them at a higher risk for developing breast cancer as compared with women living in rural areas.
Recommendations
Canadian women are major health care providers and receivers. The Canadian government has introduced several changes to the health care system. These health reforms have included controlling public expenditures on health care. They have also made significant attempts to introducing home and community based care. Health care services have been privatized and private sector management practices have been implemented in the health sector. Regional health authorities have been established in all provinces of Canada (Hayes, 2005).
Canadian health policies and programs must ensure that they are responsive to women health needs. An understanding of women’s health and women’s health needs must be increased. Effective health services must be provided to women. Good health can be promoted through preventive measures and reduction of risk factors. Biases and inequalities in the health system must be addressed. There must be a greater participation of women in decision making (Hayes, 2005).
The social, geographical and economic barriers which prevent women from seeking effective health services must be removed. The health system must be modernized and expanded to include gender impact assessment. Models should be developed to address issues like violence and poverty. Skill building models must be created to support participation of women in decision making roles. Women should be prepared to be effective advocates and participants in the health system. Health promotion and disease prevention activities should be undertaken to reduce mortality.
There should be an increase in quality of breast cancer screening. Health promotion projects should be initiated in provinces and territories to increase living and fitness. Environmental hazards which threaten women’s health must be reduced. Finally a comprehensive smoking prevention and cessation campaign should be launched.
Conclusion and Impact
The health risks faced by Canadian women can only be improved by government and private sector cooperation. Further women must be educated about the health risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. After writing this paper I have come to the conclusion that women are the primary formal and informal caregivers for children, disabled parents and old relatives. They must be given some form of compensation for income which is lost due to care giving. Health promotion and awareness programs can enlighten women about the deadly diseases and their risk factors. Further I have found that women have one or more health risk factors which can lead to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Community based programs can also help in providing up-to date information about prescription drugs, short term and long term preventive care for women. The introduction of private sector management practices in Canada’s health system has further promoted efficiency and effectiveness. Finally I have learned that besides cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, Canadian women are also vulnerable to sexual assault and violence. They are also vulnerable to sexual harassment in organizations. Legislation must be introduced which should protect women from sexual harassment and assault. Women are the asset of this nation. They can play an even more active role if their health risks are properly diagnosed and removed.
References
- Armstrong, Pat, “Women, Privatization And Health Reform: The Ontario Case”, National Network on Environments and Women’s Health, 1999.
- Ash, Katherine, “Health Practices of Community Living Senior Women: Final Report”, 2003
- Bernier, Jocelyne. “The Price of Health Care Reform for Women: The Case of Quebec”, Centre D’Excellence pour la Santé des Femmes, 1999.
- Fuller, Colleen, “Reformed or Rerouted?: Women and Change in the Health Care System”, British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, 2005.
- Hayes, Michael V. Population Health in Canada: A Systematic Review. Canadian Policy Research Networks Study No. H01. Ottawa: The Networks, 2005.
- Klatt, Irene. “Understanding the Canadian Health Care System”. American Journal of Financial Service Professionals, 2000.