Health Care Forum 2024 Presented by Pacific Blue Cross
Women over 40 represent a quarter of the workforce in British Columbia, with the fastest-growing segment being those aged 45 to 55 – the time when most women reach menopause and are advancing in their careers and taking on leadership roles. However, many midlife women report significant impacts on their work productivity and participation due to untreated symptoms associated with perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. They respond by adjusting work schedules, reducing hours, missing days – or leaving the workforce entirely.
If you're a business leader or advisor interested in exploring ways employers can better support midlife women to retain their invaluable knowledge, skills and expertise, this discussion is for you. We'll also delve into the findings of the HER-BC Study, where experts will share research findings on common experiences of people going through menopause-related transitions to better understand barriers to care, impacts on work and caregiving and influences on mental health, daily living and quality of life. Join us for a practical and engaging discussion to learn about evidence-based solutions tailored to help women thrive in the workplace during midlife.
Keynote Speaker:
Canadian OB-GYN & Women's Health Advocate
Moderator
Investigative Journalist and Anchor
CTV News at Six
Presentation: Survey Results | HER-BC: Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in B.C.
Dr. Marina Adshade
Assistant Professor of Teaching, Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia
Dr. Lori Brotto
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, Canadian Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health and Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute
Panel of Experts
The panel will discuss how employers can better support midlife women, ensuring their invaluable knowledge, skills, and expertise are retained. The discussion will also offer evidence-based and lived-experience solutions to help women thrive in the workplace during this crucial stage of life.
Dr. Marina Adshade
Assistant Professor of Teaching, Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia
Dr. Lori Brotto
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia, Canadian Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health and Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute
Lani deHek
Senior Safety, Ability and Wellness Specialist, BC Nurses' Union
Dr. Unjali Malhotra
Menopause Specialist, Medical Officer, Women's Health at First Nations Health Authority
Shirley Weir
Founder, Menopause Chicks
Moderator
Sarah Hoffman
President & CEO, Pacific Blue Cross
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Presented in Partnership with:
This event is presented by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (DLC) Program. The DLC, an evolution of the Women's Leadership Council program, is an inclusive program that champions and advocates for leadership that best reflects the diversity of the Greater Vancouver region. The DLC focuses on addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion to encourage allyship and enhance business innovation. The DLC is committed to investing in the participation and promotion of underrepresented groups, while supporting the business community to achieve their diversity and inclusion goals. Learn more.
Program: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This event will have Closed Captioning and ASL interpretation.
Submit Your Questions
We want you to be part of the discussion. To participate, go to slido.com and use the password #HEALTH
Sponsor Resources
The 2024 Blue Cross Health Study surveyed over 2,000 Canadians on preventative health and found that while many are making positive lifestyle changes, nearly half do not seek the care they need, citing barriers like fear, anxiety, lack of time, and transportation. The study shows that individuals with health benefits, whether through personal or employer-provided plans, are more likely to report better health, seek care when needed, and make health and fitness improvements. Regardless of income, those with benefits are twice as likely to seek mental health care or visit practitioners like chiropractors, naturopaths and massage therapists. Consequently, 69% of individuals with health benefits perceive themselves to be in good health, while 77% pursued health and fitness improvements in the past year. Read more at bluecross.ca/healthstudy.
WSP in Canada is one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 69,300 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With 12,000 professionals across Canada, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.
Leda HR is an innovative and boutique consulting practice working at the intersection of Human Resources and diversity, equity and inclusion. We work with organizations across sectors and sizes and from local to global. We provide support, customized learning and practical tools to enable you to grow equitable and inclusive workplace cultures that celebrate diversity.