The province’s first framework for improving Ontario women’s health and addressing gendered health inequities has been released. The framework document was sponsored by Echo, an arms-length agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and is supported by leading academics and community stakeholders. Echo’s mission is greater health for women through leadership, productive partnerships, research-based action and knowledge transfer.
The framework highlights practical steps for action, including those that can be implemented immediately and with minimal cost. One area highlighted for immediate action is the need to analyze health data by gender.
In order to develop the province’s first women’s health framework, a steering committee of Ontario’s women’s health experts was developed. Echo also asked over 300 women and stakeholders from rural, urban and diverse and marginalized communities to provide input into the process. Efforts were made to reflect perspectives of low-income, newcomer, working, Aboriginal and Francophone women, women who are mothers or are living with disabilities, and health care providers.
For more information about the Ontario Women’s Health Framework, June 2011, please visit www.echo-ontario.ca/news.