A field test of the gender-sensitive core set of leading health indicators in Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

As part of the development of a women’s health profile for the province of Manitoba in Canada, Prairie women’s Health Centre of Excellence also conducted a field test of the WHO Kobe Centre gender-sensitive core set of leading health indicators. The Manitoba department of health keeps comprehensive health care utilization data, which in combination with national survey data available through Statistics Canada, provided the data necessary for secondary gender-based analysis. Of the Kobe indicators, 23 could be tested without modification, 1 could be tested with some modification to the definition provided, and 13 could not be tested at all. Results show national or provincial level data do not adequately reflect health disparities among women and men; other factors and dis-aggregations provide additional important information. The authors provide recommendations for augmenting the core set where feasible. All but one indicator would be valuable to monitor the need for policy change.