A long history of inadequate recognition and support for women’s health has rifted the gender health gap.
Indeed, a variety of health issues affect women differently, disproportionately and exclusively, according to Krista Hogan, director of product development and health solutions at Sun Life, noting perpetuated stigma and a lack of awareness and fundamental research are resulting in women living generally unhealthier lives than men.
During a session at Benefits Canada’s inaugural Women’s Health & Wealth Summit, she shared the results of a new Sun Life report, which focuses on the emerging trends and effective supports for women’s health and is based on the results of claims from more than 20,000 employers and more than three million plan members.
While claims for chronic disease drugs is higher for men, which is consistent with public health data, women appear to be catching up, said Hogan, noting women’s claims for diabetes are outpacing men by almost 40 per cent.
“Hormonal changes put women at a greater risk during and after menopause. These changes can affect body weight, fat distribution and insulin sensitivity — and these appear to raise the risk of diabetes in women and make it more difficult for them to manage their conditions.”
When looking at cancer claims, women younger than age 50 have almost twice the incidence than men in their age group, she noted, with women’s cancer claims accounting for a significantly greater proportion of overall long-term disability claims. “We’ve found that gender-based differences in the prevalence do begin to slowly level out after age 50. This shows us it’s the working age women that are experiencing the higher instances of cancer.”
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Women are also three-times more likely to experience migraines, primarily because of hormonal fluctuations in estrogen, said Hogan, adding drops in estrogen during ovulation and menstruation, as well as perimenopause, can trigger attacks.
As well, mental health accounts for nearly half of the reasons women go on long-term disability and have higher mental-health claims across medication, paramedical providers and disability, she noted. And women disproportionately face barriers to treatment with caregiving being a major strain.
“Despite changing norms and women’s greater participation in full-time employment over the last few decades, women are still 50 per cent more likely to shoulder caregiving responsibilities.”
Read more coverage of the 2026 Women’s Health & Wealth Summit.