Shoppers Foundation study finds women downplay health issues, delaying diagnoses
Almost three in four women downplay their health concerns, believing symptoms are not serious enough to seek professional help, according to research from Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health, the charitable arm of Shoppers Drug Mart.
The study found that 81 percent of women know someone whose condition could have been diagnosed and treated earlier with better understanding of symptoms.
While many recognise common signs such as hot flashes and irregular periods, 31 percent still struggle to distinguish between normal and serious symptoms.
The research also showed that women aged 23 to 43 are less likely to take symptoms seriously, whereas 80 percent of those aged 44 to 50 are more likely to consult a medical professional.
Paulette Minard, director of Community Investment at Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health, said the lack of awareness and education often delays diagnoses.
Findings from Dialogue, cited by Benefits and Pension Monitor, support this link between women’s health awareness and workplace outcomes.
Swati Matta, head of women’s health at Dialogue, said that nearly half of the workforce is affected by the gender health gap, with 60 percent of working women believing health issues impact their careers and only 37 percent feeling adequately supported by employers.
She noted that conditions like endometriosis, menopause, and autoimmune diseases often go undiagnosed for years, leaving women to manage symptoms without adequate care.
Jennifer Buckley, senior vice president of commercial at Dialogue, added that unmanaged menopause alone costs employers $237m in lost productivity annually and results in $3.3bn in lost income for women who reduce hours or leave the workforce.
She said women take more health-related time off than men and account for 69 percent of mental health leaves in North America.
Shoppers Foundation has committed $50m by 2026 to improve access, awareness, and research in women’s health, including an additional $1m to Women’s Health Collective Canada over the next two years.
Amy Flood, executive director of Women’s Health Collective Canada, said the investment is helping to shift how women’s symptoms are recognised, responded to, and prioritised.
