Funding outcome

Women between the ages of 35 and 55 often face major health changes, including perimenopause, menopause, and the start of increased risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Despite these important transitions, Canada's health system does not currently offer a coordinated model of care designed specifically for women in this life stage. As a result, many women struggle to find timely, comprehensive, and equitable care. This project will study a new women's health clinic led by Nurse Practitioners (NPs). NPs are healthcare professionals trained to provide a broad range of primary care services. The clinic is the first of its kind in Canada's publicly funded system. It will offer integrated care that combines routine primary care with specialized support for midlife health needs, such as hormone therapy, health prevention, chronic disease management, and mental health. The research will look at how this model impacts women's experiences, health outcomes, and use of the healthcare system. It will also use a new Canadian database that collects both biological (sex) and social (gender) health information, helping to show how different factors affect women's health. Finally, the study will identify the skills and training needs of NPs working in women's health to strengthen future education programs. The goal of this research is to provide evidence for a sustainable, NP-led model of women's primary care that can be expanded within Canada's public health system, improving access, outcomes, and equity for women across the country.