FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Halifax, NS) July 3, 2025 — The IWK Foundation is launching a first-of-its-kind regional public perception survey to better understand women’s health experiences across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The survey invites women aged 18 and up to share their perspectives about their stages of life, their overall health experiences, challenges and outcomes to help inform where they need support and the gaps in their health journey.
The results of the survey will be used to identify gaps in education, awareness, access to tools and information, influence future support, and inform long-overdue change in how women’s health is understood, prioritized, and delivered. In addition, the results will help guide our efforts to help educate our community that women are different than men and they need their own healthcare prioritized, researched and supported.
“We will not close the women’s health gap by staying quiet,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “This survey is our rallying cry. It’s time to gather real data, advocate for women, and in partnership with our community support build a system that truly works for women. We’re proud to lead this movement because when we prioritize women and their health, we all benefit in our community and society.”
Within Canada, women’s health has been historically under-researched and underfunded, with just seven per cent of total national research funding allocated to women’s health, despite women comprising 50 per cent of the population.
The survey is an opportunity for women across the Maritimes to share their stories, and for that collective voice to shape the future of healthcare. The survey is anonymous and confidential and will remain open until July 30. The findings will inform a final report that will be shared publicly and used to engage policymakers, health leaders, and community organizations in building a more equitable health system.
Women can participate by visiting:
English Version: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50374923/988e4045589aEN
French Version: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50374923/1858e0936248FR
This initiative is a foundational part of the IWK Foundation’s mandate and mission to educate, advocate and support women’s healthcare and research. Additionally, this is a broader effort to help close the gender health gap and ensure women’s health is treated as a research, care, and policy priority across the region.
The IWK Foundation is a member of the Women’s Health Collective Canada (WHCC), which is comprised of five Foundations working in partnership with each other and national supporters to help prioritize women’s health research in Canada. Additionally, the IWK Foundation has contributed to the European Institute for Women’s Health (EIWH) draft Women’s Health Strategy which is expected to be presented to the European Parliament in late fall.
ABOUT THE IWK FOUNDATION
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women and children’s healthcare and research and mental health and addictions for children and youth. The IWK Foundation is the primary fundraising organization for IWK Health, working in partnership with IWK Health and others to support the vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth and families in our community. The IWK Foundation is a national co-owner and partner of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and a member of the national Women’s Health Collective Canada.
Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Slysz, IWK Foundation
nicole.slysz@iwkfoundation.org
(902) 220-6748