WORKSHOP: Closing the Gender Gap in Health Care Service Delivery in Alberta
Presenting Author(s): Dr. Charlene Lyndon
Co-Author(s): Dr. Maryana Kravtsenyuk, MD FRCPC
Date and time: 23 Mar 2024 from 13:25 to 13:45
Location: Hawthorn B
Learning Objectives
1. To learn about the current gender gaps in mental health and OBGYN care in Alberta;
2. To identify effective avenues for advocacy; and
3. To inform the profession about multidisciplinary collaboration in mental health to address gender gaps.
Literature References
1. Hulme., J., Dunn, S., Guilbert, E., Soon, J. and Norman, W. (2015, February). Barriers and Facilitators to family Planning Access in Canada. Healthcare Policy, 10(3).
2. Di Meglio, G. and Yorke, E. (2019, May 15) Universal access to no-cost contraception for youth in Canada. Paediatrics & Child Health 24 (3) 160-164.
3. Knittel, A. and Sufron, C. (2020 August 3) Maternal health equity and justice for pregnant women who experience incarceration. JAMA Network. 3(8)
Abstract
While significant progress has been made in promoting women’s health there remain significant gaps in primary care delivery which negatively impact the mental wellbeing of women in Alberta. For the purposes of this talk the term woman refers to a broad gender categorization that does not necessarily relate to one’s sex recorded at birth. Advocacy and system-wide understanding of the disproportionate impact the gaps have on women is necessary to optimize the mental and physical wellbeing of women in Alberta particularly during our current landscape of change.This presentation delivered by an obstetrician gynaecologist and a forensic psychiatrist will discuss the critical gaps in primary care for women in Alberta. The need for optimizing the mental and physical wellbeing of women through improved education, access to healthcare, and optimizing resources will be highlighted. The unique needs of incarcerated women, particularly Indigenous and rural women, and low socioeconomic women will be addressed. Women in correctional facilities require a comprehensive approach that addresses physical health, mental wellbeing, safety, education and reintegration into society. Rural women require equitable access to abortion care and sexual reproductive health clinics. Low socioeconomic women require equitable access to contraception and flexible options for healthcare delivery such as telemedicine. In addition, many employed women in Alberta are economically challenged to obtain reliable contraception.