Show Notes
This episode dives into the persistent gender data gap in medical research, highlighting how decades of bias have led to significant blind spots in diagnosing and treating women. We hear from leading experts, including Dr. Gillian Einstein and Dr. Jeffrey Mogil, about how medical research has historically defaulted to male subjects—resulting in treatments that often overlook or misrepresent women’s health outcomes. Through examples ranging from Alzheimer’s research to pain studies and drug trials, the episode explores why the gap exists, the consequences it causes, and what’s needed to fix it.
Key Takeaways: Exclusion Creates Risk: Historically, medical trials and drug testing were predominantly conducted on men, even for conditions that primarily affect women. This lack of representation has led to ineffective or harmful treatments for half the population. Inclusion Alone Isn’t Enough: Including women in studies without analyzing sex based differences renders that inclusion meaningless. Many studies report male and female participation but fail to examine how outcomes vary between sexes. Closing the Gap Benefits Everyone: Gender aware research isn’t just about fairness. It leads to better science. Both men and women suffer when sex differences are ignored. Researchers must treat sex as a critical discovery variable, not an afterthought. ---- Dr. Gillian Einstein – University of Toronto Dr. Gillian Einstein U of T Dr. Jeffrey Mogil – McGill University Dr. Jeffrey Mogil - Mogilab John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight (2020 episode on medical bias) You can see this episode here: John Oliver Last Week Tonight Medical Bias 2020 IWK Foundation – Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO of the IWK Foundation in Halifax, NS https://iwkfoundation.org/ Special thanks to Farideh for the use of her song “Female Body” You can find the song on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and more. Her website is www.ilovefarideh.com
The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, and participants of the Fifth Wave belong solely to the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IWK Foundation. The information discussed in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical, legal, or professional advice from the IWK Foundation. While we strive for accuracy, the IWK Foundation makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use. Listener discretion is advised.
More from The Fifth Wave
In this episode of The Fifth Wave, Avis Favaro uses Derek Sivers' famous "first follower" leadership talk as a lens for how change in women's health actually happens: not just through the person leading, but through the people willing to be the first to follow. Karla Bernard, MLA for Charlottetown-Victoria Park, PEI, is the first follower. Aimee Terrio, a reproductive health advocate in Nova Scotia, and Jason Urquhart, a benefits reform advocate with Hub International Canada, show what it looks like when a movement picks up more followers, one advocate, one employer and one kitchen table conversation at a time.
In this episode of The Fifth Wave, Avis Favaro explores why women's brains are different, and looks for answers to why nearly two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer's are women.
In this episode of The Fifth Wave, Avis Favaro asks a hard question: what happens when women aren't counted? Only 7% of Canadian health research funding specifically targets women, a number that hasn't moved in 15 years, even though women make up 51% of the population. Through conversations with Dr. Justine Dol of IWK Health, Kearie Daniel of the Black Women's Institute for Health, and Dr. Alice Aiken of Dalhousie University, this episode breaks down why the data gap exists, how it compounds for Black women and other underrepresented groups, and what it would take to finally fix it.Key Takeaways:Just 7% of Canadian health research funding specifically targets women, and that number hasn't moved in 15 years, according to a 2025 study of Canadian Institutes of Health Research grants. Closing the women's health research gap could add an estimated $37 billion a year to the Canadian economy by 2040, according to the McKinsey Health Institute. Black women in Canada are chronically underrepresented in health data. Voices Unheard, the first national survey of its kind, found that 42% of Black women delay seeking care out of fear of how they'll be treated. Disaggregated data, broken down by race, age and other factors, reveals gaps that averages hide, and it's the only way to actually fix the system for everyone. The thing you really NEED to know:You can't fix what you can't measure. Until Canada collects, funds and actually uses disaggregated data on women's health, including Black women, Indigenous women and other underrepresented groups, the healthcare system will keep being built around a population it was never designed to serve. -- Guest Info/Resources: Dr. Justine Dol, Dr. Margaret Oulton Accelerate Chair in Women+ Health Research, IWK Health: justinedol.com Kearie Daniel, Founder and Executive Director, Black Women's Institute for Health: LinkedIn Profile Dr. Alice Aiken, Professor, School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University; co-founder, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research: LinkedIn Profile Resource: Maritime Women+ Health Priority Setting Partnership Study Resource: Voices Unheard: Healthcare Barriers and the Lived Experience of Black Women in Canada, Black Women's Institute for Health (November 2025).
In this episode of The Fifth Wave, Avis Favaro looks at how Europe is pushing women's health policy forward, and what Canada can learn from it. Since 1957, gender equality has been part of EU law, but almost seven decades later, true equality still hasn't been achieved anywhere, including in healthcare. Through conversations with Peggy Maguire of the European Institute of Women's Health, Dr. Martina Alberani of the Young Women's Health Group, Jennifer Gillivan of the IWK Foundation, and Dr. Graeme Smith of Queen's University, this episode explores concrete European policy wins, like paid menstrual leave in Spain and free period products in Scotland, and asks what it would take for Canada to build its own national women's health strategy.
Movement is one of the most powerful…and overlooked…tools for women’s long term health. In this episode of The Fifth Wave, insights from sport and exercise physician Dr. Tina Atkinson, athletic trainer Kaelin Agar, strength coach Michelle MacDonald and neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Galea help to break down how every day activity can transform women’s physical, mental and cognitive well being. From age related muscle loss to the mental health benefits of exercise, to a stunning fitness transformation that began at age 70, this episode reframes movement as essential medicine. The message is clear, women don’t need perfection or extreme workouts. They need consistent, enjoyable movement that supports strength, energy, longevity and confidence.