Through the Sex, Gender, and Women's Health Research Hub, the O'Brien Institute for Public Health at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is working to ensure that women's health is not just recognized but meaningfully integrated into research, health-care delivery, and public policy.
"The inspiration for the Hub came from recognizing the opportunity to strengthen and expand research on female biology and women's health across the lifespan at the CSM," says Dr. Erin Brennand, MD, a leading advocate for women's health and the Hub's director.
Erin Brennand, director of the Research Hub, leads efforts to close the gaps in women's health research, care, and policy. Photo Credit: Calgary Health Foundation
The Hub was created to serve as a unifying resource at CSM, bringing together faculty, researchers, and students who want to integrate female biology, the experience of having female anatomy, and the diverse health experiences of those who identify as women into their work, says Brennand. Housed within the O'Brien Institute, the Hub is designed to collaborate across all CSM research institutes, encouraging interdisciplinarity and innovation in women's health.
"Our goal is to foster collaboration, drive impactful research, and ensure that women's health isn't an afterthought it's a priority," says Brennand, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a member of the O'Brien Institute, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute at the CSM.
Why women's health matters
Women make up half the population, yet their health concerns, particularly those related to female biology, have been historically underfunded, under-researched, and often overlooked in medical education and policy, says Brennand.
This has consequences far beyond the individual, she says.
"Healthy women contribute to healthier families, stronger economies, and better societal outcomes. But many conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women such as endometriosis, menopause, infertility, and autoimmune disorders have ripple effects that impact caregiving roles, workplace productivity, and the health-care system."
Mental health is another area where gender disparities are well-documented, says Brennand.
Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and anxiety, yet research on gender-specific treatment approaches is limited. Conditions like postpartum depression and perimenopausal mood disorders often go undiagnosed or undertreated, she says.
Similarly, reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, menopause, and pelvic floor disorders have been chronically overlooked in research funding and medical training, she says. Some of these conditions can take years to diagnose, leaving many women without adequate care.
"There's still a belief that research conducted on men can be universally applied to women, but that simply isn't true," says Brennand.
"Women's biology affects every organ system, and the assumption that one-size-fits-all medicine works for both genders has left us with serious gaps in understanding how conditions develop and how treatments should be tailored."
Barriers to care and the social determinants of women's health
In addition to a lack of research, barriers including long wait times for specialists, financial barriers to contraception and treatment, and geographic disparities in reproductive health services can contribute to poorer outcomes for women, particularly those in rural and lower-income communities.
"In Alberta, some women have to drive more than 200 kilometres just to access basic reproductive health care," says Brennand.
"Women with lower levels of education are more likely to undergo hysterectomy at younger ages, even when less invasive treatment options exist. And financial constraints mean that many women can't access the care they need whether it's birth control, fertility treatments, or menopause support."
Brennand also points to time poverty the idea that many women are unable to seek medical care because they are juggling work, caregiving, and family responsibilities.
"Women are more likely to be the primary caregivers for children, aging parents, and family members. As a result, their own health often takes a backseat. They delay screenings, put off seeing a doctor, and struggle to prioritize their own care," she says.
Sarah Meilleur discusses her experience with the health-care system and the barriers many women face in accessing timely specialist care. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Meilleur
Sarah's story
For Sarah Meilleur, CEO of the Calgary Public Library and someone who has navigated the health-care system firsthand, these conversations are deeply personal.
"I had always been fairly healthy. Never hospitalized, never broken a bone," she says. "Then, 18 months ago, everything changed."
A fibroid, or a non-cancerous growth that can develop in and around the uterus, led to uncontrollable bleeding, requiring multiple emergency room visits, iron infusions, and, eventually, surgery.
"The waitlist to see a gynecologist was eight to 12 months," Meilleur says.
"I was prescribed an IUD to help manage the symptoms, but what about women who don't have benefits and can't afford that option? What about those who don't have access to specialists? I was fortunate to have support, but many women don't."
She says her experience reflects larger systemic barriers in women's health care delays in diagnosis, financial barriers, and a lack of access to specialists.
"The pressures on the health-care system are undeniable, but they are leading to unnecessary spending on emergency care when early interventions could prevent these crises," says Meilleur.
"If I had been able to see a specialist sooner, I might have avoided multiple ambulance rides and hospital visits."
A call to action on International Women's Day
The Hub is leading projects focused on reducing the overuse of low-value, costly medical interventions, increasing access to contraception and reproductive health services, and advancing research on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy outcomes, and the intersection of disability with sexual and reproductive health.
"We are working to change the system not just by conducting research, but by making sure it informs policy, practice, and public understanding," Brennand says.
As International Women's Day is observed, Brennand's message is clear: Women's health is not a niche issue it's a fundamental part of public health.
"For too long, we have accepted gaps in care, years-long diagnostic delays, and a lack of research into conditions that deeply impact women's quality of life. That needs to change," she says.
"We need to demand more more research, more funding, and more urgency."
Shining a light on women's health at the women's health symposium
To spark conversation and action on these critical issues, the Sex, Gender, and Women's Health Research Hub is co-hosting the Women's Health Symposium on March 8, 2025, at the Calgary Public Library, central location.
The day-long event, held in collaboration with the Calgary Public Library and Calgary Health Foundation, will feature a keynote address by Dr. Alison Shea, MD, PhD, from McMaster University on menopause, alongside expert discussions on topics including pelvic floor disorders, PCOS, fertility, and endometriosis.
Global News reporter Leslie Horton will emcee the event, which will also feature a women's health resource fair, an art exhibit by students from Central Memorial High School, Alberta University of the Arts, the University of Calgary ARTS Society, and an exclusive screening of Below the Belt, a documentary exposing the systemic challenges in diagnosing and treating endometriosis.
"This event is about putting women's health at the forefront," says Brennand.
"We want to create a space where we can talk about the real issues women face and ensure these conversations lead to action."
With the Women's Health Symposium and the work of the Hub, Brennand says she hopes to leave women's health in a better place than she found it creating a health-care system where women's voices are heard, their pain is taken seriously, and their health is truly prioritized.
The symposium includes the Calgary premiere of Below the Belt, a documentary that sheds light on endometriosis and the systemic health-care challenges disproportionately impacting women. Get your tickets here.
Dr. Erin Brennand, MD, is associate professor and Department Head, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) & Alberta Health Services - Calgary Zone, lead for the Sex, Gender and Women's Health Research Unit, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, and a member of the O'Brien Institute, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute at the CSM.
