Only 3% of studies in neuroscience examine a female-only population, even though women make up 50% of the population. When it comes to neuroscience, research on women's brain health is greatly lacking.

Host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks with two scientists who are leading the research, not only on women's brain health but how hormonal changes impact women's brain health. Nam asks the experts about the latest findings, the gaps in research in this field, and the challenges that neuroscientists face when trying to get their work funded in the first place. Is Canada falling behind in women's brain health research? What opportunities are there in this research space?

In collaboration with MaRS Impact Health and recorded in front of a live audience at a conference putting women's health at the forefront, Nam interviews Dr. Liisa Galea from CAMH, The Galea Lab and Dr. Natasha Rajah from the Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (BHEAM) Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Links: 
The Lab of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology: https://www.galealab.com/
The Brain Health Equity in Aging & Memory (BHEAM) lab: https://www.bheamlab.ca/
Mind the Gap: Hormonal Contraceptives and Brain Health
https://womenshealthresearchcluster.com/professional-development/conferences/mind-the-gap/ 
Estradiol-based Menopausal Hormone Therapy is associated with improved episodic and prospective memory scores in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.13.25320471v1 
Biological sex & menopause effects on vascular health and rsFMRI connectivity in middle-aged adults 
https://www.bheamlab.ca/downloads/AAIC_abstract_Kearley_2025.pdf 

Only 3% of studies in neuroscience examine a female-only population, even though women make up 50% of the population. When it comes to neuroscience, research on women's brain health is greatly lacking.
Host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks with two scientists who are leading the research, not only on women's brain health but how hormonal changes impact women's brain health. Nam asks the experts about the latest findings, the gaps in research in this field, and the challenges that neuroscientists face when trying to get their work funded in the first place. Is Canada falling behind in women's brain health research? What opportunities are there in this research space?
In collaboration with MaRS Impact Health and recorded in front of a live audience at a conference putting women's health at the forefront, Nam interviews Dr. Liisa Galea from CAMH, The Galea Lab and Dr. Natasha Rajah from the Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory (BHEAM) Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Links:&nbsp;
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The Lab of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology: <a href="https://www.galealab.com/">https://www.galealab.com/</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The Brain Health Equity in Aging &amp; Memory (BHEAM) lab: <a href="https://www.bheamlab.ca/">https://www.bheamlab.ca/</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Mind the Gap: Hormonal Contraceptives and Brain Health <a href="https://womenshealthresearchcluster.com/professional-development/conferences/mind-the-gap/">https://womenshealthresearchcluster.com/professional-development/conferences/mind-the-gap/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Estradiol-based Menopausal Hormone Therapy is associated with improved episodic and prospective memory scores in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.13.25320471v1">https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.13.25320471v1</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Biological sex &amp; menopause effects on vascular health and rsFMRI connectivity in middle-aged adults <a href="https://www.bheamlab.ca/downloads/AAIC_abstract_Kearley_2025.pdf">https://www.bheamlab.ca/downloads/AAIC_abstract_Kearley_2025.pdf</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated

How do hormonal changes impact women's brain health?

In the U.S., Black women are more than three times as likely to die during childbirth as white women. In the U.K., Black women are more than twice as likely to die in childbirth, and babies born to Black mothers are at an increased risk of stillbirth. Here in Canada, stats to better understand health outcomes for Black mothers aren't even available. While there are provinces in Canada that collect race-based data, historically, this country hasn't tracked health outcomes by race, which means the picture for what Black maternal health looks like across the country is unclear. However, if statistics from other jurisdictions are any indication, birthing and pregnancy are a greater risk to Black mothers, no matter where they live or what their socioeconomic background is. On this episode, we speak with Jennifer Dockery and Jenelle Ambrose Dash about the work that the Black Maternal Health Collective is doing, including Toronto's Black Maternal Health Week taking place April 11-17th. We also talk about accountability, the concerns of collecting race-based data in Canada, and what action looks like.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Research links:
The weathering hypothesis and the health of African-American women and infants: evidence and speculations 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1467758/
Weathering” and Age Patterns of Allostatic Load Scores Among Blacks and Whites in the United States 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1470581/
Black Women Excluded from Critical Studies Due to ‘Weathering’ 
https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/black-women-excluded-from-critical-studies-due-to-weathering/
Childbirth Is Deadlier for Black Families Even When They’re Rich, Expansive Study Finds 
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/12/upshot/child-maternal-mortality-rich-poor.html
Black midwife's death highlights racial gap in maternal mortality 
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/black-midwifes-death-highlights-racial-gap-in-maternal-mortality
"Colorblind Care" Is Costing Lives. Meet The Woman Who Started Toronto’s First Black Maternal Health Week To Change That
https://www.essence.com/news/toronto-first-black-maternal-health-week/
Racial variations of adverse perinatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9246499/
Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality 
https://www.bornontario.ca/initiatives-resources/health-equity-and-indigenous-health/black-maternal-morbidity-and-mortality/ 
Beyonce opens up about pregnancy complications with twins 
https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-opens-pregnancy-complications-twins/story?id=62480855 
Serena Williams: What my life-threatening experience taught me about giving birth 
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/protect-mother-pregnancy-williams-opinion
Systemic racism affects maternity care for black women in England, say MPs 
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/17/systemic-racism-affects-maternity-care-for-black-women-in-england-say-mps
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/u-s-maternal-deaths-more-than-doubled-over-20-years-heres-who-fared-the-worst
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/nx-s1-4977627/rachel-somerstein-invisible-labor-c-section
https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/state-of-maternal-mortality-the-inequitable-burden-on-black-mothers.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X22002253
https://www.communitysolutions.com/resources/medical-bias-weathering-deadly-impact-black-mothers
https://nationalpost.com/news/maternal-death-injury-in-canada
https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/i-made-a-documentary-about-the-black-maternal-health-crisis-then-i-experienced-it-1.7101607
https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html
https://www.mckinsey.com/institute-for-economic-mobility/our-insights/closing-the-black-maternal-health-gap-healthier-lives-stronger-economies
https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/black-maternal-mortality-rate-reaches-3-5-times-white-women-racial-gap-childbirth-widens/

In the U.S., Black women are more than three times as likely to die during childbirth as white women. In the U.K., Black women are more than twice as likely to die in childbirth, and babies born to Black mothers are at an increased risk of stillbirth. Here in Canada, stats to better understand health outcomes for Black mothers aren't even available. While there are provinces in Canada that collect race-based data, historically, this country hasn't tracked health outcomes by race, which means the picture for what Black maternal health looks like across the country is unclear. However, if statistics from other jurisdictions are any indication, birthing and pregnancy are a greater risk to Black mothers, no matter where they live or what their socioeconomic background is. On this episode, we speak with Jennifer Dockery and Jenelle Ambrose Dash about the work that the Black Maternal Health Collective is doing, including Toronto's Black Maternal Health Week taking place April 11-17th. We also talk about accountability, the concerns of collecting race-based data in Canada, and what action looks like.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Research links:
<ol>
<li>The weathering hypothesis and the health of African-American women and infants: evidence and speculations <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1467758/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1467758/</a></li>
<li>Weathering&rdquo; and Age Patterns of Allostatic Load Scores Among Blacks and Whites in the United States <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1470581/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1470581/</a></li>
<li>Black Women Excluded from Critical Studies Due to &lsquo;Weathering&rsquo; <a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/black-women-excluded-from-critical-studies-due-to-weathering/">https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/black-women-excluded-from-critical-studies-due-to-weathering/</a></li>
<li>Childbirth Is Deadlier for Black Families Even When They&rsquo;re Rich, Expansive Study Finds <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/12/upshot/child-maternal-mortality-rich-poor.html">https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/12/upshot/child-maternal-mortality-rich-poor.html</a></li>
<li>Black midwife's death highlights racial gap in maternal mortality <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/black-midwifes-death-highlights-racial-gap-in-maternal-mortality">https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/black-midwifes-death-highlights-racial-gap-in-maternal-mortality</a></li>
<li>"Colorblind Care" Is Costing Lives. Meet The Woman Who Started Toronto&rsquo;s First Black Maternal Health Week To Change That <a href="https://www.essence.com/news/toronto-first-black-maternal-health-week/">https://www.essence.com/news/toronto-first-black-maternal-health-week/</a></li>
<li>Racial variations of adverse perinatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9246499/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9246499/</a></li>
<li>Black Maternal Morbidity and Mortality <a href="https://www.bornontario.ca/initiatives-resources/health-equity-and-indigenous-health/black-maternal-morbidity-and-mortality/">https://www.bornontario.ca/initiatives-resources/health-equity-and-indigenous-health/black-maternal-morbidity-and-mortality/</a><a href="https://www.bornontario.ca/initiatives-resources/health-equity-and-indigenous-health/black-maternal-morbidity-and-mortality/">&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Beyonce opens up about pregnancy complications with twins <a href="https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-opens-pregnancy-complications-twins/story?id=62480855">https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-opens-pregnancy-complications-twins/story?id=62480855</a><a href="https://abcnews.com/GMA/Culture/beyonce-opens-pregnancy-complications-twins/story?id=62480855">&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Serena Williams: What my life-threatening experience taught me about giving birth <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/protect-mother-pregnancy-williams-opinion">https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/opinions/protect-mother-pregnancy-williams-opinion</a></li>
<li>Systemic racism affects maternity care for black women in England, say MPs <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/17/systemic-racism-affects-maternity-care-for-black-women-in-england-say-mps">https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/17/systemic-racism-affects-maternity-care-for-black-women-in-england-say-mps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/u-s-maternal-deaths-more-than-doubled-over-20-years-heres-who-fared-the-worst">https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/u-s-maternal-deaths-more-than-doubled-over-20-years-heres-who-fared-the-worst</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/nx-s1-4977627/rachel-somerstein-invisible-labor-c-section">https://www.npr.org/2024/05/28/nx-s1-4977627/rachel-somerstein-invisible-labor-c-section</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/state-of-maternal-mortality-the-inequitable-burden-on-black-mothers.html">https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/state-of-maternal-mortality-the-inequitable-burden-on-black-mothers.html</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X22002253">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X22002253</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.communitysolutions.com/resources/medical-bias-weathering-deadly-impact-black-mothers">https://www.communitysolutions.com/resources/medical-bias-weathering-deadly-impact-black-mothers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nationalpost.com/news/maternal-death-injury-in-canada">https://nationalpost.com/news/maternal-death-injury-in-canada</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/i-made-a-documentary-about-the-black-maternal-health-crisis-then-i-experienced-it-1.7101607">https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/i-made-a-documentary-about-the-black-maternal-health-crisis-then-i-experienced-it-1.7101607</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/womens-health/features/maternal-mortality.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/maternal-mortality/index.html</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/institute-for-economic-mobility/our-insights/closing-the-black-maternal-health-gap-healthier-lives-stronger-economies">https://www.mckinsey.com/institute-for-economic-mobility/our-insights/closing-the-black-maternal-health-gap-healthier-lives-stronger-economies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/black-maternal-mortality-rate-reaches-3-5-times-white-women-racial-gap-childbirth-widens/">https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/newswire/black-maternal-mortality-rate-reaches-3-5-times-white-women-racial-gap-childbirth-widens/</a></li>
</ol>

How to combat the Black maternal health crisis

Doctors are calling for action. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and rates in Canada had been dropping for years. Canada had even pledged to eliminate it completely by 2040. Not anymore. Rates have plateaued, and cervical cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer and fourth leading cause of cancer death among females worldwide. Is Canada still on track? On this episode, we talk about the causes of cervical cancer, how prevention strategies fall short because of vaccine hesitancy, how under-served communities are at risk and what jurisdictions around the world are on track to eliminate cervical cancer. Guests: Michelle Halligan Director of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Nakia Lee-Foon, a Health equity researcher at the Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners.

Research links:
Disparities in the allocation of research funding to gynecologic cancers by Funding to Lethality scores 
https://www.gynecologiconcology-online.net/article/S0090-8258(18)31302-7/abstract
Denmark could eradicate cervical cancer by 2040: study https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/denmark-could-eradicate-cervical-cancer-by-2040-study/ 
Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2150132721992195
Researchers redesign vaginal speculum to ease fear and pain 
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/researchers-redesign-vaginal-speculum-to-ease-fear-and-pain/ 
New vaginal speculum design might motivate women to go for health checkups 
https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ide/delft-design-stories/new-vaginal-speculum-design-might-motivate-women-to-go-for-health-checkups 
Cervical cancer is ‘fastest-rising’ form in Canada as doctors urge action 
https://globalnews.ca/news/11698821/cervical-cancer-cases-rising-canada/ 
Progress Against Cervical Cancer in Canada
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/cancer/progress-against-cancers/reports.html?type=1 
New Canadian Cancer Statistics report suggests Canada may fall short of its 2040 goal to eliminate cervical cancer 
https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2025/canadian-cancer-statistics-2025 
https://www.instituteforbetterhealth.com/member/lee-foon-nakia/ 
https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/ 

 

Doctors are calling for action. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and rates in Canada had been dropping for years. Canada had even pledged to eliminate it completely by 2040. Not anymore. Rates have plateaued, and cervical cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer and fourth leading cause of cancer death among females worldwide. Is Canada still on track? On this episode, we talk about the causes of cervical cancer, how prevention strategies fall short because of vaccine hesitancy, how under-served communities are at risk and what jurisdictions around the world are on track to eliminate cervical cancer. Guests: Michelle Halligan Director of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Nakia Lee-Foon, a Health equity researcher at the Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners.
Research links:
<ol>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Disparities in the allocation of research funding to gynecologic cancers by Funding to Lethality scores <a href="Disparities%20in%20the%20allocation%20of%20research%20funding%20to%20gynecologic%20cancers%20by%20Funding%20to%20Lethality%20scores%20%20https://www.gynecologiconcology-online.net/article/S0090-8258(18)31302-7/abstract">https://www.gynecologiconcology-online.net/article/S0090-8258(18)31302-7/abstract</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Denmark could eradicate cervical cancer by 2040: study&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/denmark-could-eradicate-cervical-cancer-by-2040-study/">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/denmark-could-eradicate-cervical-cancer-by-2040-study/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination&nbsp; <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2150132721992195">https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2150132721992195</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Researchers redesign vaginal speculum to ease fear and pain <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/researchers-redesign-vaginal-speculum-to-ease-fear-and-pain/">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/researchers-redesign-vaginal-speculum-to-ease-fear-and-pain/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">New vaginal speculum design might motivate women to go for health checkups <a href="https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ide/delft-design-stories/new-vaginal-speculum-design-might-motivate-women-to-go-for-health-checkups">https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ide/delft-design-stories/new-vaginal-speculum-design-might-motivate-women-to-go-for-health-checkups</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Cervical cancer is &lsquo;fastest-rising&rsquo; form in Canada as doctors urge action <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/11698821/cervical-cancer-cases-rising-canada/">https://globalnews.ca/news/11698821/cervical-cancer-cases-rising-canada/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Progress Against Cervical Cancer in Canada <a href="https://health-infobase.canada.ca/cancer/progress-against-cancers/reports.html?type=1">https://health-infobase.canada.ca/cancer/progress-against-cancers/reports.html?type=1</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">New Canadian Cancer Statistics report suggests Canada may fall short of its 2040 goal to eliminate cervical cancer <a href="https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2025/canadian-cancer-statistics-2025">https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2025/canadian-cancer-statistics-2025</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instituteforbetterhealth.com/member/lee-foon-nakia/">https://www.instituteforbetterhealth.com/member/lee-foon-nakia/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="%1." data-font="" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;%1.&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/">https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;

Can Canada still eliminate cervical cancer by 2040?

Pregnancy loss affects millions each year – so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Research Links:
Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/
Idalina Leandro’s ‘An Open Conversation’ Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy & Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/ 
Pregnancy, Infant & Child Loss Support Centre https://pilsc.org/
Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527
My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319
New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604
Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract
https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext

Pregnancy loss affects millions each year &ndash; so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Research Links:
<ol>
<li>Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/</li>
<li>Idalina Leandro&rsquo;s &lsquo;An Open Conversation&rsquo; Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/&nbsp;</li>
<li>Pregnancy, Infant &amp; Child Loss Support Centre <a href="https://pilsc.org/">https://pilsc.org/</a></li>
<li>Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527">https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527</a></li>
<li>My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319</a></li>
<li>New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604">https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604</a></li>
<li>Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193</a></li>
<li>https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract</li>
<li>https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext</li>
</ol>

How do hormonal changes impact women's brain health?

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