In a bold move to confront systemic gaps in women’s health care, Sinai Health Foundation has launched a new awareness campaign titled “It’s Time For Answers.” The initiative aims to spotlight longstanding disparities in how women are studied and treated in Canada’s health-care system—particularly during and after menopause.
The campaign arrives just days before World Menopause Day on October 18, underscoring the urgency to transform health outcomes for aging women across the country. Despite making up more than half the population, women are still underrepresented in clinical research, with only six per cent of federal research funding allocated to women’s health.
“Women are continuously underrepresented or overlooked in research, leading to misdiagnoses, ignored symptoms and gaps in their treatment and care, especially as they age,” said Dr. Paula Rochon, Director of Research at the Weston and O’Born Centre for Mature Women’s Health.
Medical Consequences of Neglected Research
The gaps are not just academic—they’re dangerous.
Women are diagnosed later than men for over 700 diseases, are 36% more likely to experience serious side effects from medications, and are more frequently prescribed multiple medications with limited research on how aging women respond to them.
Pain is another critical issue: studies show women are 10% less likely than men to have their pain assessed in hospital settings.
A New Vision for Women’s Health in Toronto
Sinai Health, based in Toronto, is one of the only academic centres globally to make mature women’s health a strategic research priority. With $50 million already raised to establish the Weston and O’Born Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital, construction is now underway on a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to care, research, and education. The new centre is expected to open in 2027.
“Advances have been made in women’s health over the last decade, but there is still work to be done,” said Dr. Wendy Wolfman, Director of the Centre. “Women deserve to thrive at every stage of their life.”
Bikini Medicine and Bay Street Windows
In a striking visual statement, Sinai has transformed the former Hudson’s Bay Company windows at Queen and Bay Street into an art installation. The display features mannequins in red bikinis to critique the outdated notion of “bikini medicine” — the idea that women’s health concerns are limited to the areas covered by a swimsuit.
The display runs from October 14 to November 2 and aims to provoke public discussion about how women’s bodies — and lives — are too often marginalized in medical science.
Join the Movement
The campaign is a call-to-action for donors, researchers, and the general public to help build a new standard in care. Donations can be made at sinaiwomenshealth.ca.
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