opinion: women’s health is not a niche issue—it’s a national health priority
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leila springer, co-founder and executive director of the olive branch of hope, left, greets health minister marjorie michel during the 2025 novartis health equity initiative winners’ announcement ceremony at novartis canada’s offices. the olive branch of hope was a recipient of 2025 health equity initiative funding.
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canada’s healthcare system is under pressure from every direction. as governments and partners work to strengthen access, reduce wait times, and improve long-term sustainability, one area presents both a clear challenge and a powerful opportunity to build on that progress: women’s health.
while awareness of women’s health continues to grow, some conditions that disproportionately affect women can still face challenges related to recognition, diagnosis and access to care. the consequences extend beyond individual patients. when women are unable to access timely care or effectively manage chronic conditions, the ripple effects are felt across families, workplaces and the healthcare system itself.
encouragingly, there is growing recognition across canada that improving health equity, strengthening primary care and expanding access to earlier diagnosis and treatment are essential to a more sustainable system. women’s health sits squarely at the intersection of these priorities.
and the opportunity is clear in care settings across the country. the health care system needs to meet women where they are, when they need it and in a manner that respects their choice. women’s health, through all the unique ages and stages of life, should be accessible, coordinated and responsive to individual needs, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status.
many women continue to experience challenges navigating timely diagnosis and coordinated access to care for conditions that can significantly affect long-term outcomes and quality of life. women are also more likely to report unmet healthcare needs than men. at the same time, many take on caregiving responsibilities for children, aging parents and loved ones navigating illness. supporting their health more effectively strengthens the entire system.
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canada cannot build a fully sustainable healthcare system without also accelerating progress in the health of more than half its population.
investing in women’s health outcomes has the potential to reduce pressure on healthcare systems, support workforce participation and strengthen communities. at a time when canada is making important investments in healthcare capacity and access, there is an opportunity to ensure these efforts fully reflect the realities of women’s health.
we see this opportunity reflected across multiple areas of healthcare. in early breast cancer, continued progress in screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship support can help women access the information, resources and support they need to make informed decisions and play an active role in their care journey. in immunology, many autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases disproportionately affect women.
applying a women’s health and equity lens can help improve awareness, recognition and access to care while strengthening support for patients living with these conditions. together, these examples highlight the importance of ensuring women’s health considerations are integrated across the healthcare continuum.
this includes continuing to advance innovation. innovation is not only about developing new medicines. it is also about improving how people access care, how healthcare systems reach underserved communities and how barriers to diagnosis and treatment can be addressed earlier. it is about bringing together partners across the healthcare ecosystem to better support patients throughout their care journey.
across the country, we are already seeing promising examples of this approach in action. through the novartis canada health equity initiative, community-led organizations are advancing practical, locally driven solutions to improve access to care for underserved populations, including women, gender-diverse and indigenous people who continue to face barriers within the healthcare system.
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what makes these efforts impactful is that they build on broader system priorities while grounding solutions in the realities patients experience every day. whether it is improving access to screening, strengthening mental health supports or helping patients navigate complex care pathways more effectively, these approaches complement ongoing public investments and help close persistent gaps.
no single organization can solve these challenges alone. encouragingly, important progress is already underway across canada. continued momentum will depend on strong collaboration across governments, healthcare institutions, community organizations, patient groups and industry, building on the shared commitment to improve access, equity and outcomes across the system.
canada has many of the ingredients needed to lead in women’s health: strong public institutions, world-class research and clear national momentum around improving access and equity in care. collaborations such as the national women’s health framework (bill s-243) reflect the growing recognition that women’s health deserves sustained attention and coordinated action across the healthcare landscape.
the opportunity now is to build on this progress with focus and intent.
when women are healthier, healthcare systems are more sustainable, communities are more resilient, and economies are stronger.
investing in women’s health is not a separate agenda. it is central to achieving the priorities canada has already set for the future of its healthcare system.
dimitri gitas is the country president at novartis canada and carmen wyton is the chair and founder of women’s health coalition.
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