Did you know that women in Canada spend 24% more time in ill health compared to men? That's just one of the findings from The McKinsey Health Institute's report "Closing the women's health gap: Canada's $37 billion opportunity." Nam Kiwanuka speaks with one of the report's authors Marie-Renée B-Lajoie, a former ER doctor, about how addressing the gaps in women's health would benefit the economy and lead to better health outcomes for women.

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.

The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda

https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo

Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters

Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org

Did you know that women in Canada spend 24% more time in ill health compared to men? That's just one of the findings from The McKinsey Health Institute's report "Closing the women's health gap: Canada's $37 billion opportunity." Nam Kiwanuka speaks with one of the report's authors Marie-Ren&eacute;e B-Lajoie, a former ER doctor, about how addressing the gaps in women's health would benefit the economy and lead to better health outcomes for women.
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.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>

(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

The Report: Women's health and its connection to the economy

Is it genetics or age that causes more women to have Alzheimer's? It's more complicated than that. Studies show that of every three patients with Alzheimer's, two are women even after accounting for longevity. Researchers are now only learning the importance of hormones in brain health and it's part of the reason why there's a push behind studying the ways brain health impacts women's health. To find out more about hormones and the role they play during menopause, Nam Kiwanuka speaks with professor M. Natasha Rajah who leads the Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory lab at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Research links

‘This is a big deal’: Health Canada approves 1st drug to slow Alzheimer’s disease: https://globalnews.ca/news/11500367/health-canada-approves-alzheimers-treatment

As the U.S. ages, dementia is on the rise. Here are ways to reduce your risk: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/22/nx-s1-5050956/health-brain-dementia-sleep-diet-alzheimers

Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20047725

Doctors looking into hormone therapy as a way to ward off dementia in women: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/estrogen-dementia-prevention-hormone-replacement-women-perimenopause-rcna245664

Hysterectomy may be linked to brain function: https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2018/hysterectomy-may-be-linked-to-brain-function

Men and women have opposite genetic changes in depression: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/men-and-women-have-opposite-genetic-changes-in-depression

Hormone replacement therapy will no longer carry a warning label, FDA says: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/hormone-replacement-therapy-no-warning-label-fda-rcna243008

Migraine remains second among the world's causes of disability, and first among young women: findings from GBD2019: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33267788/

More than half of women in Canada are caregivers: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/2649-more-half-women-canada-are-caregivers

Shingles vaccine may slow progression of dementia, new study suggests: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/health/shingles-vaccine-dementia-progression-study-wellness

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care 2024: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/dementia-prevention-intervention-and-care

The Rise of Anxiety Among Women: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/multicultural-mental-health/202502/the-rise-of-anxiety-among-women

Why are so many women suffering from “long Covid” symptoms?: https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/immune-health/are-you-a-covid-long-hauler/

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.

The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda

https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo

Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters

Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org

Is it genetics or age that causes more women to have Alzheimer's? It's more complicated than that. Studies show that of every three patients with Alzheimer's, two are women even after accounting for longevity. Researchers are now only learning the importance of hormones in brain health and it's part of the reason why there's a push behind studying the ways brain health impacts women's health. To find out more about hormones and the role they play during menopause, Nam Kiwanuka speaks with professor M. Natasha Rajah who leads the Brain Health Equity in Aging and Memory lab at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Research links
<a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/11500367/health-canada-approves-alzheimers-treatment/">&lsquo;This is a big deal&rsquo;: Health Canada approves 1st drug to slow Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease: https://globalnews.ca/news/11500367/health-canada-approves-alzheimers-treatment</a>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/22/nx-s1-5050956/health-brain-dementia-sleep-diet-alzheimers">As the U.S. ages, dementia is on the rise. Here are ways to reduce your risk: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/22/nx-s1-5050956/health-brain-dementia-sleep-diet-alzheimers</a>
<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20047725">Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression/art-20047725</a>
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/estrogen-dementia-prevention-hormone-replacement-women-perimenopause-rcna245664">Doctors looking into hormone therapy as a way to ward off dementia in women: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/estrogen-dementia-prevention-hormone-replacement-women-perimenopause-rcna245664</a>
<a href="https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2018/hysterectomy-may-be-linked-to-brain-function">Hysterectomy may be linked to brain function: https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2018/hysterectomy-may-be-linked-to-brain-function</a>
<a href="https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/men-and-women-have-opposite-genetic-changes-in-depression">Men and women have opposite genetic changes in depression: https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/men-and-women-have-opposite-genetic-changes-in-depression</a>
<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/hormone-replacement-therapy-no-warning-label-fda-rcna243008">Hormone replacement therapy will no longer carry a warning label, FDA says: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/hormone-replacement-therapy-no-warning-label-fda-rcna243008</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33267788/">Migraine remains second among the world's causes of disability, and first among young women: findings from GBD2019: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33267788/</a>
<a href="https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/2649-more-half-women-canada-are-caregivers">More than half of women in Canada are caregivers: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/2649-more-half-women-canada-are-caregivers</a>
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/health/shingles-vaccine-dementia-progression-study-wellness">Shingles vaccine may slow progression of dementia, new study suggests: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/health/shingles-vaccine-dementia-progression-study-wellness</a>
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/dementia-prevention-intervention-and-care">Dementia prevention, intervention, and care 2024: https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/dementia-prevention-intervention-and-care</a>
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/multicultural-mental-health/202502/the-rise-of-anxiety-among-women">The Rise of Anxiety Among Women: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/multicultural-mental-health/202502/the-rise-of-anxiety-among-women</a>
<a href="https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/immune-health/are-you-a-covid-long-hauler/">Why are so many women suffering from &ldquo;long Covid&rdquo; symptoms?: https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/immune-health/are-you-a-covid-long-hauler/</a>
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.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>

Why are 70% of Alzheimer's patients women?

In July 2023, Sydney Gesualdi was rear-ended at a red light. She was told by her doctors that she had whiplash and tissue damage, but instead of getting better - she got worse. Her mobility began to suffer, her motor skills disappeared, and she felt like she was forgetting how to breathe and swallow. This began her years long journey through Ontario's medical system as she tried to receive a diagnosis for Craniocervical Instability and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Sydney about her experiences of being forgotten in the medical system and her hope to receive funding from the government for a surgery she says is her right.

Research links

EDS Foundation: https://edscanada.org/

‘We live in constant fear’: the reality of life with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/05/we-live-in-constant-fear-the-reality-of-life-with-ehlers-danlos-syndromes

Billie Eilish Has Hypermobility — Here's What That Is: https://www.shape.com/billie-eilish-hypermobility-7091708

Desperate to walk again, this 25-year-old Ontario woman is ready to pay $40K for U.S. spinal assessment: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-woman-seeking-spine-care-1.7512862

Millions have the same ‘bendy body’ disease as my daughter. Why isn’t the medical profession paying more attention?: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/24/health/hypermobile-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-health-hnk-spc-dst-intl

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: More than “just loose joints”: https://acaciahealth.ca/blog/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-more-than-just-loose-joints

The GoodHope Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Clinic: development and implementation of the first interdisciplinary program for multi-system issues in connective tissue disorders at the Toronto General Hospital: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13023-021-01962-7

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.

The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda

https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo

Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters

Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org

In July 2023, Sydney Gesualdi was rear-ended at a red light. She was told by her doctors that she had whiplash and tissue damage, but instead of getting better - she got worse. Her mobility began to suffer, her motor skills disappeared, and she felt like she was forgetting how to breathe and swallow. This began her years long journey through Ontario's medical system as she tried to receive a diagnosis for Craniocervical Instability and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Sydney about her experiences of being forgotten in the medical system and her hope to receive funding from the government for a surgery she says is her right.
Research links
EDS Foundation: https://edscanada.org/
&lsquo;We live in constant fear&rsquo;: the reality of life with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/05/we-live-in-constant-fear-the-reality-of-life-with-ehlers-danlos-syndromes
Billie Eilish Has Hypermobility &mdash; Here's What That Is: https://www.shape.com/billie-eilish-hypermobility-7091708
Desperate to walk again, this 25-year-old Ontario woman is ready to pay $40K for U.S. spinal assessment: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/ontario-woman-seeking-spine-care-1.7512862
Millions have the same &lsquo;bendy body&rsquo; disease as my daughter. Why isn&rsquo;t the medical profession paying more attention?: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/24/health/hypermobile-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-health-hnk-spc-dst-intl
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: More than &ldquo;just loose joints&rdquo;: https://acaciahealth.ca/blog/ehlers-danlos-syndrome-more-than-just-loose-joints
The GoodHope Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Clinic: development and implementation of the first interdisciplinary program for multi-system issues in connective tissue disorders at the Toronto General Hospital: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13023-021-01962-7
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.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>

Why EDS is more than "just loose joints"

Femtech focuses on technological innovation within the women's health space. Innovations can include everything from a new version of the speculum to a bra that can track heart health. But innovators face hurdles in a market where funders still find the word "vagina" a challenge. To find out more, Nam Kiwanuka speaks with journalist Marina Gerner about her book "The Vagina Business", which looks at Femtech's market opportunity and the pitfalls.

Research links

The Vagina Business: https://www.marinagerner.com/about

The dawn of the FemTech revolution: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-dawn-of-the-femtech-revolution

Researchers redesign vaginal speculum to ease fear and pain: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/researchers-redesign-vaginal-speculum-to-ease-fear-and-pain

MIT Develops 'Smart Bra' for Early Breast Cancer Detection: A New Frontier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3uqmexASIY

The ‘huge disadvantage’ women behind femtech phenomenon face: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/08/the-huge-disadvantage-women-behind-femtech-phenomenon-face

Women in tech statistics: The hard truths of an uphill battle: https://www.cio.com/article/201905/women-in-tech-statistics-the-hard-truths-of-an-uphill-battle

A subsection of tech is set to be worth $1 trillion. But taboos are holding it back: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/12/a-subsection-of-tech-is-set-to-be-worth-1-trillion-but-taboos-are-holding-it-back.html

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.

The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

Follow TVO on social: https://www.youtube.com/theagenda

https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo

Join our newsletter: https://www.tvo.org/newsletters

Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: https://www.tvo.org

Femtech focuses on technological innovation within the women's health space. Innovations can include everything from a new version of the speculum to a bra that can track heart health. But innovators face hurdles in a market where funders still find the word "vagina" a challenge. To find out more, Nam Kiwanuka speaks with journalist Marina Gerner about her book "The Vagina Business", which looks at Femtech's market opportunity and the pitfalls.
Research links
The Vagina Business: <a href="https://www.marinagerner.com/about">https://www.marinagerner.com/about</a>
The dawn of the FemTech revolution:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-dawn-of-the-femtech-revolution">https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-dawn-of-the-femtech-revolution</a>
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>
MIT Develops 'Smart Bra' for Early Breast Cancer Detection: A New Frontier: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3uqmexASIY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3uqmexASIY</a>
The &lsquo;huge disadvantage&rsquo; women behind femtech phenomenon face: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/08/the-huge-disadvantage-women-behind-femtech-phenomenon-face">https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/08/the-huge-disadvantage-women-behind-femtech-phenomenon-face</a>
Women in tech statistics: The hard truths of an uphill battle: <a href="https://www.cio.com/article/201905/women-in-tech-statistics-the-hard-truths-of-an-uphill-battle.html#:~:text=The%20IT%20leadership%20gap,manager%2C%20or%20technical%20team%20leader.">https://www.cio.com/article/201905/women-in-tech-statistics-the-hard-truths-of-an-uphill-battle</a>
A subsection of tech is set to be worth $1 trillion. But taboos are holding it back: <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/12/a-subsection-of-tech-is-set-to-be-worth-1-trillion-but-taboos-are-holding-it-back.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/12/a-subsection-of-tech-is-set-to-be-worth-1-trillion-but-taboos-are-holding-it-back.html</a>
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.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>

The Report: Women's health and its connection to the economy

In 1 playlist(s)

(MIS)Treated

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips