Show Notes
In The Fifth Wave: Curing the Healthcare Bias against Women, healthcare champions, the IWK Foundation, bring to light the profound and often dangerous consequences the gap in women’s health and research has had on women. The study of human biology has defaulted to the male body, which has hindered understanding of sex-based biological differences and results in fewer available and less effective treatments for women. We have been living in a world built for men, not only in heath care, but transportation, technology and beyond. This series will spark both curiosity and outrage leaving you wanting large scale change – a movement even. With insights from medical experts and researchers, The Fifth Wave challenges the default male standard and asks: What happens when half the population is left out of the equation? We hope to empower every woman and girl with the awareness and information to take charge of her health. Hosted by Avis Favaro.
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.
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