Abstract
The previous articles in this supplement provide valuable data and insights about women's health in Canada but also point to significant gaps in information gathering about women's health and about gender differences in health. These gaps are evident in health surveillance activities and in areas of biomedical and social research. As well, the gender implications of social and economic policies are rarely considered in a systematic and consistent way. This long-standing situation is the result of assumptions and values underlying theoretical and practical approaches to data collection, research, analysis and policy development, which have tended to reinforce the centrality of women's reproductive and caregiving roles and ignore or underplay women's experiences in other sectors of social life. [1-4] Identifying and redressing the sex/gender gaps in health surveillance would contribute to a more robust and accurate system of health surveillance in Canada and, in turn, provide a stronger evidence base for the development and implementation of effective social policies to improve population health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. More effective policies could lead to the identification of new areas and methods for improved surveillance. This could be achieved, in part, by systematically incorporating gender-based analysis into surveillance practices, particularly by focusing on the context and diversity of people's lives; developing and applying gender-sensitive health indicators; and using innovative theoretical concepts and analytic tools to map the pathways and interrelations between population health determinants and health outcomes. This chapter underlines the need for a policy framework for women's health surveillance in Canada and points to some of the elements that such a framework might include.
Highlights
The previous articles in this supplement provide valuable data and insights about women's health in Canada and point to significant gaps in information gathering about women's health and about gender differences in health
Surveillance data are subject to many limitations, including a lack of infrastructure for standardized reporting
There are conceptual limitations to surveillance, when data may be disaggregated by sex but provide no further evidence about gender differences
Summary
The previous articles in this supplement provide valuable data and insights about women's health in Canada and point to significant gaps in information gathering about women's health and about gender differences in health. Some women's health groups have called attention to emerging international issues, such as the rapid development of reproductive and genetic technologies.[54] Women and Health Protection, a network of health providers, consumers and researchers, is engaged in research and informal surveillance on the impact of drugs and devices on women's health and provides input to government on policies pertinent to health protection.[55] Others have identified gaps in health planning, encouraged the integration of gender-based analysis into government processes and called attention to the need for further development of indicators to evaluate progress towards gender equality.[56] The National Coordinating Group on Health Care Reform and Women monitors the impact on women of Canadian health care system reforms, with a particular focus on home care.[57] Such groups provide diverse perspectives, often "from the margins"; bring synergy and balance to discussions and debate; challenge assumptions and concepts; and suggest options to government for surveillance, research and policy. Successful implementation of effective health surveillance and social policies depends on a broad base of public dialogue and support
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