A recent survey conducted in the Maritimes revealed concerning findings regarding how women are handling their health issues in the face of perceived dismissal and bias within the healthcare system. The IWK Foundation initiated the survey to gain insights into women’s health experiences in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, initially expecting 2,000 responses but ultimately receiving over 27,000.
The survey results indicated that 75% of women acknowledged delaying or avoiding medical care due to fears of being judged, dismissed, or labeled as “difficult” when seeking treatment. This delay in seeking care often leads to more serious health issues when they do eventually seek help. Key concerns highlighted by women included menopause, hormonal health, and perimenopause.
Historically, women’s health concerns have been under-researched, resulting in disparities in health outcomes, limited access to care, and instances of misdiagnosis and under-diagnosis. According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, this lack of research has led to a significant gap in understanding women’s health issues, especially during critical life stages like perimenopause and post-menopause.
The survey summary emphasized the challenges faced by women due to societal pressures, caregiving responsibilities, financial constraints, and knowledge gaps, collectively creating barriers to overall wellness. Respondents highlighted the need for substantial changes to enhance women’s health, with 86% expressing the need for improvements.
The survey findings are expected to guide future initiatives aimed at addressing women’s health concerns and influencing policy changes. The IWK Foundation plans to collaborate with provincial health authorities across the Maritimes to address the identified issues and advocate for increased research in critical areas. Jennifer Gillivan, the foundation’s president and CEO, emphasized the importance of prioritizing women’s health to build a stronger and healthier society.
The IWK Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the IWK Health Centre, a prominent hospital in Halifax catering to women, youth, and children from the Maritime provinces. The survey was conducted by Crestview Strategy between July 2 and 31, 2025, and received responses from 27,317 women across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
