Description: Gender health gap relates to the lack of equity towards access and care for women. Women face many health disparities and healthcare access concerns. There are several reasons for the health gap including lack of research and recognition of sex and gender specific data, barriers to care and lower investment towards women’s health. Lack of health data related to women’s health conditions or sex or gender specific differences underestimates the burden of negative health outcomes in women. With many women in the workforce, this ripple effect extends beyond health outcomes to negatively impact a woman's financial potential and workplace productivity. Understanding of the interplay between social determinants of health with sex and gender differences is needed in designing effective healthcare strategies. This presentation will discuss how to address the gender health gap, strategies to consider and how pharmacists can play an important role in improving the quality of life for women.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the reasons for the gender health gap in women’s health care.
2. Describe the interplay between sex and gender differences and other social determinants of health.
3. Discuss how to address the gender health gap and health care strategies to consider.
4. Describe how pharmacists can play an important role in addressing the gender health gap.

Description: Pharmacists across Canada have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of women by addressing the often-overlooked needs of those experiencing menopause. This webinar will equip you with evidence-based approaches to help patients manage symptoms like hot flashes and other symptoms, which are more than just inconveniences—they can be linked to serious health concerns.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and their effect on overall health.
2. Summarize the latest recommendations for menopausal therapy, hormonal and non-hormonal options, benefits and risks.
3. Describe common misconceptions associated with menopausal symptoms and provide evidence-based advice.
4. Determine the pharmacist's role in advising patients deciding on appropriate approaches in menopausal symptom management.

Description: Migraine can manifest through the different stages of life of women. This session will provide you with practical tips for addressing the needs of women living with migraine or other headache disorders, discuss how to integrate new treatment options and how you can complement your consultations with supplements and lifestyle advice.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:

1. Better understand the needs of women living with migraine throughout the stages of life.
2. Identify patients in their practice who would benefit from counselling about acute migraine and preventive treatments.
3. Apply Canadian and international guidelines in your practice for the best treatment outcomes and care.
4. Understand the role of medication in migraine prevention and acute management.
5. Complement standard consultations with information about supplements and lifestyle changes that help with migraine prevention and optimize outcomes.

Description: A significant number of women are affected by endometriosis and uterine fibroids and other common uterine disorders, conditions that can have a considerable impact on their health and quality of life. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of these conditions by discussing the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of these conditions, a range of treatment options, including medical, surgical, and alternative procedures, with a focus on selecting the most appropriate strategies based on patient symptoms, disease characteristics, and reproductive goals.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this presentation the participants will be able to:

1. Review the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and other common uterine disorders.
2. Describe the medical, surgical, and alternate procedural treatment options available for these disorders.
3. Discuss the selection of treatment strategies based on patient symptoms, disease characteristics, and patient reproductive goals.

Description: This panel, featuring a patient with lived experience, a Heart & Stroke Canada representative and a practising pharmacist, will explore the unique risk factors women face for heart disease and stroke throughout different stages of life. The discussion will focus on how these conditions affect women, and how pharmacists can help their patients recognize symptoms, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and better understand treatment options.

Learning objectives:

1. Increase awareness of women’s risk factors for heart conditions and stroke across the lifespan.
2. Discuss barriers and challenges to preventive care for women in assessing and addressing risk factors.
3. Explore opportunities for pharmacists to play a leading role in addressing the gaps in knowledge and assessment of women's vascular risk factors.

Dr. Danielle Paes will reflect on the insights gleaned from our expert speakers and panellists and will highlight some of the key learnings she’ll be taking away and implementing in her own practice.