Manitoba Health

Introduction

The initial Manitoba Women’s Health Strategy was developed in 2000-2001 to provide a foundation on which to build a new approach to women’s health. That strategy identified specific goals and projects which laid out a roadmap for government initiatives in the years that followed.

In 2009, the departments of Manitoba Health (MH) and Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors (HLYS) partnered with Manitoba Status of Women to revisit the Women’s Health Strategy. MH and HLYS also contracted the Women’s Health Clinic, who participated in the original strategy, to assist in gathering information through a series of 10 regional consultations.

The results of those consultations have been used to inform this renewed strategy.

Background

Women make up 51 per cent of the Canadian population. They are frequently the guardians of the health of other family members, and make up the largest number of health care providers and informal caregivers.

Women have different health issues than men. In addition to obvious differences related to reproductive health, women face an increased rate of chronic illnesses as they age, as well as higher rates of mental health concerns, such as depression. Issues of violence, poor economic status and lower incomes also affect more women than men.

The Manitoba Women’s Health Strategy recognizes the distinct health needs of women in the planning, implementation and delivery of health care services. It seeks to address the broad range of women’s health issues, and ensure awareness and responsiveness to gender differences in all aspects of health care delivery in Manitoba.

Download Manitoba Women's Health Strategy 2011 140kb | 16 pages