Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia
On November 1, 2024, the Health and Economics Research on Midlife Women in British Columbia (HER-BC) report was released at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Healthcare Forum. The study, conducted in partnership with the BC Women’s Health Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross, recruited over 2,000 people assigned female at birth, between the ages of 39-60, across British Columbia.
The study explored the impact of menopause symptoms on quality of life and aspects of daily living including work and caregiving responsibilities. It also investigated the health seeking behaviours of midlife women to manage their symptoms of menopause.
Key Study Findings
- Symptom prevalence: Overall, 91.9% of participants experienced at least one moderate to severe symptom of menopause. Participants who reported more severe menopause symptoms also had higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Conversely, participants with lower symptom severity had higher quality of life scores.
- Mental Health: 41.2% of respondents reported a concurrent mental health condition, emphasizing the need for improved mental health support during the menopause transition.
- Workplace Impact: Almost one-third (32%) of participants reported that menopause symptoms affected their job, leading to missed workdays, reduced hours, declined promotions, or job loss.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: On average, participants spent almost $900 out-of-pocket on these services annually. Those with private health coverage were much more likely to access extended health care services, with fewer out-of-pocket costs. Three quarters of those who used these services reported improved symptoms.
Dr. Lori Brotto, Principal Investigator of the HER-BC study, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia, and Executive Director of WHRI, said:
“This report marks an essential first step in addressing the widespread lack of awareness and support for menopause in British Columbia. The experiences shared by the women surveyed make it clear that menopause is not only a health issue but one that deeply affects work, relationships, and everyday life. There is an opportunity to bridge these gaps and tackle the societal stigma that comes with menopause.”
HER-BC Health Care Forum Presentation
The 2024 Health Care Forum theme was “Menopause & Health Equity at Work.” This was an audience of small business leaders and advisors who were interested in exploring ways to better support their workforce, particularly those in midlife undergoing the menopause transition.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Elder Rosie George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and a keynote address by Dr. Jen Gunter, Canadian OB-GYN & Women’s Health Advocate. Dr. Lori Brotto and Dr. Marina Adshade (Co-Investigator and UBC Health Economist) presented key study findings of the report, which was also accompanied by a HER-BC campaign video.
Panel Discussion and Key Recommendations
Following the presentation, Dr. Brotto and Dr. Adshade, were joined by Shirley Weir (HER-BC Study collaborator and founder of Menopause Chicks), Dr. Unjali Malhotra (Menopause Specialist and Medical Officer at First Nations Health Authority), and Lani deHek (Senior Safety, Ability, and Wellness Specialist at BC Nurses’ Union) engaged in a panel discussion.
These thought leaders discussed the importance of awareness and open dialogues about menopause in the workplace, along with practical accommodations to support menopause in every aspect of life.
Subsequent media interest has reinforced the importance of the study results and the potential to improve support for midlife women and healthy aging through the menopause transition.
Find HER-BC in the media:
- CBC News on the Coast: BC women face serious challenges accessing menopause care, study finds
- CityNews: B.C. menopause study highlights challenges for midlife women
- Vancouver Sun: Menopause is real, and the impacts are enormous, BC study finds
- CTV News Vancouver: First-of-its-kind B.C. study looks at impacts of menopause
- The Current, CBC Radio: Menopause is costing women their careers
Our Appreciation
The Women’s Health Research Institute would like to share appreciation to all of the study participants, team members, investigators and collaborators who were instrumental in the creation of the HER-BC report. In addition, we thank the BC Women’s Health Foundation and Pacific Blue Cross for their meaningful partnership in the HER-BC study and report. We are proud to share the HER-BC report, the first-of-its-kind study that uncovers critical insights on the health, work, and care impacts of menopause. We encourage everyone to read the report, share with friends, family, colleagues, and have open discussions about peri- to post-menopause.
What can you do?
- Read the Report: Dive into the findings and recommendations of the HER-BC study.
- Watch the Video: Check out the HER-BC campaign video for an overview of key findings and recommendations.
Connect with the WHRI on Instagram for all HER-BC updates.