Resources for Women

World Disasters Report (2011). The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies produced this report which focuses on the growing crisis of hunger and nutrition. Many people, including millions of children, are going to bed hungry. Each year, there is a different topic. View this year's report at www.ifrc.org/publications-and-reports/world-disasters-report/wdr2011/.

Launch of Grand Challenges Canada website (2010): Grand Challenges Canada is a distinctive not-for profit organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of people in developing nations. Grand Challenges works with other global health organizations to develop sustainable solutions to the world’s most critical health challenges. Access the site here http://www.grandchallenges.ca/

Drugs, Homelessness & Health: Homeless Youth Speak Out About Harm Reduction (2010): This research report, released by The Wellesley Institute, provides a detailed account of the risky behaviour exhibited by substance-using homeless youth. A remarkable dissection of their drug practices, health status, and access to social services is presented. Download this report at http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/research/affordable_housing_research/drugs-homelessness-health-homeless-youth-speak-out-about-harm-reduction/

Women and Health (2009): The World Health Organization generated a report that draws attention to the consequences and costs of failing to address women’s health issues. Key areas of concern, such as HIV/AIDS and depression, are highlighted and public health policies and practices are examined. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241563857_eng.pdf

Rising to the Challenge (2009): Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence has created a comprehensive report on the process of sex and gender-based analysis in healthcare planning, policy, and research. This will provide readers with the analytical tools needed when working with women and men, girls and boys. http://www.pwhce.ca/pdf/RisingToTheChallenge.pdf.

You and Your Health: A Woman’s Guide (2009). Produced by the British Columbia Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, this guide offers women-specific health information on issues across the lifespan such as body image, pregnancy, menopause, heart health and other chronic diseases. Check it out at http://www.bccewh.bc.ca/publications-resources/documents/YouandYourHealth_AWomansGuide.pdf

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (2009). The CIW provides unique insights into the quality of life of Canadians – overall, and in specific areas that matter: our standard of living, our health, the quality of our environment, our education and skill levels, the way we use our time, the vitality of our communities, our participation in the democratic process, and the state of our arts, culture and recreation. Find it at www.ciw.ca/en/TheCanadianIndexOfWellbeing.html.

A Profile of Women’s Health in Manitoba (2008). Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence has produced an extensive profile of over 130 indicators of women’s health in Manitoba. This first of a kind document provides a detailed analysis of women’s health status in Manitoba, including determinants of health such as income and living conditions, healthy behaviours, sexual and reproductive health, physical and mental health, health services and mortality for women. Download it at http://www.pwhce.ca/profile/mbWomensHealthProfile.htm.

Gender in Health and Development Website (2008). The unit of Gender in Health and Development of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is pleased to announce the launch of the Gender in Health and Development website http://www.emro.who.int/ghd/index.htm. The unit of Gender in Health and Development works towards the inclusion of gender considerations at all levels of health care and delivery entailing the recognition of both the biological and social differences of males and females and the resulting impacts on health attainment and vulnerability.

Canadian Addictions Survey highlights gender differences (released 2008): A new survey released by Health Canada shows a breakdown of drug and alcohol use by gender. This information can be useful for identifying addiction issues specific for women and developing appropriate programs. http://www.ccsa.ca/eng/priorities/research/CanadianAddiction/Pages/default.aspx.

New Resource for Women (2008): Women Wading Through the Web: A Health Toolkit is a new and valuable tool for any consumer who wants to get the most from their visit to a health website. To access the Toolkit, visit: www.womenshealthmatters.ca and click on Health on the Web Toolkit.

New Health Policy Study (released 2008): The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy has released a new study called What Works? A First Look at Evaluating Manitoba's Regional Health Programs and Policies at the Population Level. A copy of the study and the four page summary can be found at http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/deliverablesList.html.

An Update on Hormone Replacement Therapy Use (2008): Since, 2002, when a study reported significant health risks for those using combination estrogen-progesterone hormone replacements, the number of senior women using HRT has dropped from 14% to 5%. Read more about the history of hormone replacement therapy and its current use at the Canadian Institute for Health Information https://secure.cihi.ca/estore/productSeries.htm?pc=PCC417.

Health Canada gives Canadian women a Plan B (2007): Health Canada recently confirmed that Plan B, a safe and effective "morning after pill" has officially been approved for use without a prescription in Canada. The decision means Canadian women now have full and immediate access to Plan B, a safe and effective "morning after pill" that is 95 per cent effective in preventing unintended pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex. See Canadian Women's Health Network for more information http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/cwhn/ec.html

The debate continues over HPV vaccinations: Since it's approval in Canada in 2006, there has been debate over whether girls should receive a vaccine which protects against 3 types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 different types of HPV. The vaccine is effective against HPV 16 and HPV 18 - which are responsible for about 70 per cent of cervical cancers. Concerns have been raised by women's health organizations and doctors about whether the vaccine's effectiveness, it's trial period, and the necessity for women to continue regular PAP smears. For information on both sides of the debate, see the Public Health Agency's website http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/hpv-vph/fact-faits_e.html and the Canadian Women's Health Network at http://www.cwhn.ca/network-reseau/index.html

Condoms and sexually-transmitted infections (released 2006): According to a recent New England Journal of Medicine article: "Polarization of opinion about condoms may finally be starting to abate, as scientific evidence mounts that their use can reduce the risk of most sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection". To read more, see: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/25/2642?query=TOC.

WHO report on gender equality, work and health (released 2006): Gender Equality, Work and Health: A Review of the Evidence is the title of a report published by the World Health Organization's Gender, Women and Health Department. The 57-page report is available online as at: http://www.who.int/gender/documents/Genderworkhealth.pdf.

Study of high-cost pharmaceutical users (released 2005): The study titled High-Cost Pharmaceutical Users: Who Are They?, recently released by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, found that five per cent of Manitobans taking prescription medications accounted for 41 per cent of prescription drug spending. The report by Anita Kozyrskyj, Lisa Lix, Matthew Dahl and Ruth-Ann Soodeen is available on the Centre's website at: http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/deliverablesList.html.

Canadian Women's Health Discussion List: CDN-WOMEN is a moderated list created to join together and strengthen links among organizations, individuals and groups across Canada involved in women's health. It serves as a forum of discussion and debate on current and timely issues affecting women and girls. It is also a place to share information and resources, events, calls for action, and research findings (both biomedical and social research). To join: e-mail cdn-women-admin@list.web.net asking to subscribe to listserv, leaving the subject line blank. You can also view registration information on their website at http://www.cwhn.ca/cdn_women/index.en.html.

CWHN's women's health database: The Canadian Women's Health Network's updated bilingual database of women's health resources is now available free of charge via their website: http://www.cwhn.ca/hot/default.html. The database includes more than 5,900 resources that cover a wide range of topics on women's health and women's lives. It is for health consumers, health professionals, researchers, students and activists alike. The database also includes more than 2,400 organizations involved in women's health, both in Canada and internationally.

Findings on abortion and breast cancer (released 2003): In February 2003, the National Cancer Institute convened a workshop to examine the issue of abortion and breast cancer and they concluded that having an abortion or miscarriage does not increase a woman's subsequent risk of developing breast cancer. A summary of their findings, titled Summary Report: Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer Workshop, is available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ere-workshop-report.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force final report available: The Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task force examined issues of nutrition, physical activity and injury prevention, and identified priorities, initiatives and actions that can be implemented over the short-, medium- and long-term to provide support for healthy environments. Recommendations in the report cover 10 key areas. The report is available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthykids/index.html

National study on balancing work, family and lifestyle (2004): Report Three - Exploring the Link Between Work-Life Conflict and Demands on Canada's Health Care System is available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/work-travail/report3/index.html.

The effects of the environment on our health: Cases of environmental sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are increasing in North America, and the overwhelming majority of those affected are women. Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre's Environmental Health Centre is available online at: www.womenshealthmatters.ca/health-resources/environmental-health/.

Report on female genital cutting (released 2004): Information on Female Genital Cutting: What is out there? What is needed? is a report funded by the USAID Interagency Working Group on FGC (female genital cutting). The full report is available at: http://www.prb.org/pdf04/InfoOnFGC.pdf.

New resource on smoking and pregnancy: Expecting To Quit: A Best Practices Review of Smoking Cessation Interventions for Pregnant and Postpartum Girls and Women is produced by the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health. This guide includes information on research on smoking in pregnancy, a review of smoking cessation programs and recommendations for practice and research. Download this report at http://www.bccewh.bc.ca/publications-resources/documents/Expecting_to_Quit.pdf.

Giving Birth in Canada: Providers of Maternity and Infant Care was the first report released in 2004 and one in a series of four documents on Canadian birthing trends to be released from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. For more information, visit: http://secure.cihi.ca/ or call: (613) 241-7860. For more information, visit www.secure.cihi.ca/store/productSerices.htm?pc=PCC226. Or call: (613) 241-7860.

Rural and remote women's health (released 2004): The Centres of Excellence for Women's Health's report Rural, Remote and Northern Women's Health: Policy and Research Directions suggests that rural, remote and Northern Canadians remain underserved by primary health care. Over 1 in 5 Canadian women live in a rural area. For the full report, visit: http://www.pwhce.ca/pdf/rr/RRN_Summary_CompleteE.pdf or call: (204) 982-6630.

The Sexuality Education Resource Centre (SERC) has a range of STI (sexually transmitted infections) pamphlets available in many languages for download at http://www.serc.mb.ca/GE/WA/15. This new syphilis resource uses direct language and graphics to discuss issues including transmission, symptoms, prevention and further resources. These resources include street language which may not be appropriate for some clients. Call 204-982-7800 to have a Resource Order Form faxed for easy ordering. SERC supplies the pamphlet series at no cost within the province of Manitoba, but charges for shipping and handling costs. Staff and volunteers can also provide resource displays and handouts for meetings, conferences, and workshops. SERC operates offices in both Winnipeg and Brandon.

How do drugs affect breastfeeding? The National Library of Medicine has released a database, on drugs and breastfeeding, available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT. This free online database contains over 450 drug records.

Silicone breast implants and platinum levels (released 2006): Research titled "Total Platinum Concentration and Platinum Oxidation States in Body Fluids, Tissue, and Explants from Women Exposed to Silicone and Saline Breast Implants by IC-ICP-MS" may be read on-line at: http://www.humanticsfoundation.com/LykissaMaharaj2006.pdf.

Transgender health resources available: The Trans Care Project was completed in Vancouver in 2006. This was a collaborative effort between the Transgender Health Program and Transcend Transgender Support & Education Society, which launched new transgender health resources. The documents are available online at: http://www.vch.ca/transhealth/resources/tcp.html.

Questions to ask about Health Care Evidence: A Women's Guide for Understanding Evidence about Health and Health Care from the National Coordinating Group on Healthcare Reform and Women looks at questions women should ask about health care evidence. This 20-page guide provides tools to assess arguments and evidence about women, health and health care reforms. It is available at: http://www.cewh-cesf.ca/PDF/health_reform/evidenceEN.pdf.

Media Doctor Canada: Media Doctor (http://www.mediadoctor.ca) is an initiative driven by Alan Cassels, a drug policy researcher at the University of Victoria and co-author of the best-selling book Selling Sickness: How the World's Big Pharmaceutical Companies are Turning Us All Into Patients. The goal is to improve Canadian media coverage of new medical drugs and treatments. The Media Doctor Canada team of volunteer distinguished scientists reviews current news stories about medical drugs and treatments, and assesses the stories' quality on a standardised rating scale.

CCPA study on public sector solutions to Canada's waitlist problems (released 2005): A study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) shows that there are public sector solutions to Canada's wait list problems. Public Solutions to Health Care Waitlists is available on the CCPA web site at http://www.policyalternatives.ca/documents/National_Office_Pubs/2005/Health_Care_Waitlists.pdf.

Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter: Join the MedEffect mailing list to receive e-mail updates from Health Canada for the most recent publication of the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter and marketed health product advisories for health professionals and the public. The Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter alerts health professionals to adverse reactions reported in Canada. These documents are an important source of information regarding the post-market safety and effectiveness of health products. To subscribe, visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advers-react-neg/index-eng.php.

Women and Health Protection keeps up to date on the safety of pharmaceutical drugs: See their website for the most recent news on drugs that may be harmful to women http://www.whp-apsf.ca/en/index.html.

Health and Poverty - changes needed for women on social assistance: Two Regina researchers found that women on social assistance need advocates to help them access services and benefits, and that this is true in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Women and Social Assistance Policy in Saskatchewan and Manitoba is part of a series of reports by Prairie Women's Health Centre of Excellence (PWHCE) examining social assistance policies in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and their effects on women's health. Two other reports in the series are: Don't We Count As People: Saskatchewan Social Welfare Policy and Women's Health and Surviving on Hope is Not Enough: Women's Health, Poverty, Justice and Income Support in Manitoba. These reports are available on the PWHCE website at http://www.pwhce.ca/publications_browse_subject.htm#poverty or by calling: 982-6630.

Report on health of rural Canadians (released 2006): A new report titled How Healthy Are Rural Canadians? An Assessment of Their Health Status and Health Determinants shows that Canadians living in rural areas generally have higher mortality (or death) rates than those living in urban areas. The report is available at: https://secure.cihi.ca/estore/productSeries.htm?locale=en&pc=PCC336.

Community Economic and Demographic Factors: The Community Information Database (CID) is intended to provide communities and governments with consistent, reliable and accessible information on economic and demographic factors at the community level. At this site, click on any region of Canada to determine the demographics and key information on the determinants of health for that particular region. Check it out at: http://www.cid-bdc.ca/

Gender-based analysis and wait times (released 2006): A discussion paper, titled Gender-based Analysis and Wait Times: New Questions, New Knowledge, has been prepared by Beth E. Jackson, PhD, Ann Pederson, MSc and Madeline Boscoe, RN, on behalf of the Women and Health Care Reform Group. The issue of wait times is prominent in current health care reform debates and encapsulates key concerns about the state of the health care system in Canada including issues of quality, access, equity, and efficiency of health care services. A gender-based analysis of wait times is important because women and men have different experiences of health, illness and treatment, have different health care needs, access health care differently and may experience different outcomes from programs and services. To read more, see: http://www.cewh-cesf.ca/PDF/health_reform/genderWaitTimes.pdf.

The International Journal of the Creative Arts in Interdisciplinary Practice: This journal is an independently published open access journal that publishes information about the creative arts in research and interdisciplinary practice. You can subscribe without charge to the IJCAIP Journal at CherylMcLean@ijcaip.com"please subscribe. Their website is at: http://www.ijcaip.com/about.html .

Quality Care in Personal Care Homes (released 2007): The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy's new report titled Using Administrative Data to Develop Indicators of Quality Care in Personal Care Homes is available at: http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/reference/pch.qi.pdf

Women and pharmaceuticals: Check out the Canadian Women's Health Network's popular myspace 'social networking site' and see their new initiative on women and pharmaceuticals, entitled: 'Don't Swallow Everything You Hear About Women's Health'. Download the posters for free at http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/posters/posters.html

Healthy Living Resource Clearinghouse: The Healthy Living Resource Clearinghouse (HLRC) works to enhance the capacity of communities and organizations to develop, implement and sustain community-based healthy living programs through the provision of consultative support, referral services, resources, training and best practice information. View a variety of Provincial strategies for healthy living and sign up for their listserv at http://www.healthincommon.ca

Women and HIV/AIDS

Our Selves, Our Daughters, Community-Based Education and Engagement Addressing Female Genital Cutting (FGC) with Refugee and Immigrant African Women in Winnipeg 2010-2011. Produced by the Sexuality Education Resource Centre. Download the report at: www.serc.mb.ca/content/dload/download.2011-09-1126.7476248770/file

HIV/AIDS and Indigenous Peoples (2010): Health Canada has released a report concerning the particular vulnerabilities indigenous peoples have to acquiring HIV. Colonization and persistent marginalization have been identified as causes for the many existing health disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. A discussion on the racialized, sexual violence that many indigenous women and girls experience is also included in this report. An effective response involves the integration of HIV/AIDS and indigenous peoples’ issues at national and international levels. Find this report at http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2010/2010_hiv_indigenous_peoples_en.pdf.

A Qualitative Study of the Role of Sexual Violence in the Lives of Aboriginal Women Living with HIV/AIDS (2009): The Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN) aims to explain and generate a solution to the over-representation of Aboriginal women among HIV cases in Canada. This report gives details of a study that explores the interplay of sexual violence and culture. The fundamental features of the female Aboriginal experience of sexual violence and HIV/AIDS infection are identified. Read about how to end violence against Aboriginal women and girls here http://www.caan.ca/docu/Sexual%20Violence%20Document%20ENGLISH.pdf.

AIDS in women and girls: According to the most recent UNAIDS data, of the over six million people between the ages of 15 and 24 living with AIDS, 75% are women and girls. This reflects the unbearable tragedy of gender inequality. For more information and the most up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS, see: http://www.unaids.org/en/PolicyAndPractice/Gender/default.asp.

Violence against women and HIV/AIDS (released 2006): The Center for Women's Global Leadership launched the online version of its 43-page human rights report, Strengthening Resistance: Confronting Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS and is available at: http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/globalcenter/publications/strengthening.pdf.

Resource for women with HIV: The Positive Women's Network, developed with HIV-positive women, features Positive Currents, a bulletin for women who are newly diagnosed with HIV. The bulletin is available at: http://www.pwn.bc.ca.

Canadian women and HIV/AIDS (released 2005): Vectors, Vessels and Victims HIV/AIDS and Women's Human Rights in Canada makes the case that while women in Canada may not suffer the extremes of subordination faced by many of their counterparts in other parts of the world, inequality and violations of women's human rights still contribute to their vulnerability and to the challenges they face in seeking treatment for HIV/AIDS. The 61-page report is available in PDF format at http://www.aidslaw.ca/publications/publicationsdocEN.php?ref=526

HIV/AIDS blueprint for action: Leading Together: Canada Takes Action on HIV/AIDS (2005-2010) is the title of Canada's first comprehensive blueprint for action which sets out a coordinated national approach to tackling the epidemic on all fronts. Leading Together is available online at: www.leadingtogether.ca

Training Manual for service providers (2006): EngenderHealth has released a training manual containing materials for program managers, trainers, and health care providers working with women in the field of HIV and AIDS. The link is: http://www.engenderhealth.org/pubs/hiv-aids-sti/

Federal initiative to address HIV/AIDS (released 2005): Since the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic when fear was widespread and little was known about the disease, Canada's response to HIV/AIDS has grown in both scope and complexity, according to a new report. The Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada: Strengthening Federal Action in the Canadian Response to HIV/AIDS provides for more action on HIV/AIDS, both at home and abroad. Copies of the report are available from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre at 1-877-999-7740 or by e-mail at aidssida@cpha.ca. This publication is also available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/aids-sida/fi-if/index.html.

Gender and HIV/AIDS electronic library: To promote understanding, knowledge sharing and action on HIV/AIDS as a gender equality and human rights issue, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), with support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), has developed a Gender and HIV/AIDS Electronic Library to provide up-to-date information on the gender dimensions of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Regularly updated information and resources can be found at the UNIFEM Gender and HIV/AIDS Web Portal at http://www.genderandaids.org/