Connecting Women’s Brain Health and Wealth
By RBC Wealth Management
“Investing in women’s health and health research is important for their long-term well-being, but it’s actually really important for our economy and our economic productivity,” says Dr. Angela Kaida, Scientific Director of the Institute of Gender and Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
In fact, investments in women’s health and women’s health research represent a $1 trillion opportunity in economic potential, Dr. Kaida says, citing a report by the McKinsey Health group.
RBC Wealth Management believes strongly in supporting women’s health and women’s health research and has partnered with organizations like Women’s Brain Health Initiative to bring awareness to this societal issue and to help educate women on what they can do to stay healthy as they age. Our three-part Matters Beyond Wealth podcast series features experts in women’s health research exploring the critical, yet often overlooked, topic of women’s health.
Closing the gaps in women’s health research
Dr. Kaida spoke with RBC Wealth Management in the first episode of our Matters Beyond Wealth podcast series about the hidden health risks for women, gender barriers to care, and the importance of women’s health advocacy.
Sex and gender are the most overlooked when it comes to medical research, she notes, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatments for women. Data reveals that for hundreds of conditions, women experience an average of two years of delay of diagnosis for that condition, she says, raising the important question of how we can bridge that gap in women’s health research.
The key, Dr. Kaida says, is to understand the concept of "health span" versus “lifespan” when thinking about women’s health. Studies show that while women generally live longer, they spend more years in poor health, often during their most productive years, highlighting the urgent need for research that considers women's specific health challenges, such as chronic pain, depression, and Alzheimer's risk.
Dr. Kaida's work at the Institute of Gender and Health is already pioneering a new era of inclusive research, requiring all health researchers seeking funding to consider sex and gender in their studies. This mandate is currently increasing the proportion of studies that address these critical factors, paving the way for more personalized and effective healthcare for women.
Listen to the full conversation to learn more.
Can we prevent cardiovascular disease in women?
Dr. Kara Nerenberg, an associate professor and clinician scientist at the University of Calgary, tackles the often-overlooked topic of cardiovascular disease in women as it relates to women’s health research in this episode. The statistics are startling she notes: women are seven times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than breast cancer, and early heart attack signs are missed in 78% of women.
Focusing her research on the connection between reproductive events and cardiovascular risk, Dr. Nerenberg found that conditions like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery significantly increase a woman's risk of heart disease and stroke later in life. Alarmingly, these risks often go unrecognized, and preventative care is lacking.
The need for better screening and treatment protocols, especially during and after pregnancy, is a concern severely unaddressed in women’s health research today. Dr. Nerenberg advocates for integrated care models that address the unique biological and social factors affecting women's heart health, which has proven crucial in raising awareness and improving outcomes for women at risk.
Listen to the full conversation to learn more.
Exercise as medicine: Can working out help protect us from dementia?
As the Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience, Dr. Cindy Barha explores the powerful role of exercise in maintaining brain health and preventing dementia in this episode, the final of the three-part series. Her research focuses on how different types of exercise, such as aerobic training and resistance training, can benefit the brain, especially in older adults and those at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Her findings are particularly relevant for women, as she discovered that postmenopausal women may gain greater cognitive benefits from aerobic exercise compared to men. She also highlights the importance of middle age as a critical window for brain health interventions.
Dr. Barha's work encourages individuals to incorporate regular physical activity into their routines, not just for physical health but also for long-term brain health as a cost-effective and accessible tool in the fight against dementia. Through her innovative research on exercise and brain health, Dr. Barha provides practical strategies for individuals to protect their cognitive function as they age.
Listen to the full conversation to learn more.
RBC Wealth Management and longevity planning
RBC Wealth Management, presenting sponsor of the inaugural Women’s Brain Health Summit, recognizes that true wealth encompasses more than just financial assets. It requires a bigger picture, one that incorporates health, wellness, and finances. After all, your health is wealth. Learn more on the RBC Wealth Management Aging Well hub.
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