What is women's health research?
Health policies and programs often focus on biological aspects of disease. However, evidence suggests that gender influences (social, economic and cultural factors) and diversity also contribute to women's health, in conjunction with sex-based characteristics (genetic and physiological factors). Therefore, women's health research investigates how sex differences interact with gender influences to create or explain health conditions, situations and problems that are unique to women, or more prevalent for women.
Why does BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre need a research institute for women’s health?
A research institute dedicated to women’s health research will help ensure that BC Women’s fulfills its academic mandate as a province-wide institution. It will also focus and coordinate current research programs and projects taking place at BC Women’s. The WHRI will take a comprehensive approach to women's health research through bringing together health research from the "four pillars": Biomedical; Clinical; Health Services & Systems; and Social, Cultural, Environmental & Population Health. Furthermore, it will raise the profile of these important areas of research and enable greater success in raising funds. Many health-providing organizations across the world have developed or are developing strong support for women’s health research – we are doing this for BC.
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If you are the “research arm” of BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, does this mean any research going on at the hospital or health centre is automatically part of the WHRI?
Researchers, including those at BC Women’s, obtain support from many sources. However, researchers engaged in women’s health research will be supported by the Women’s Health Research Institute and most, if not all, will be part of the Institute. As many researchers will have overlapping and complex relationships, membership of the WHRI is not exclusionary in any way. Participating in such a research collective will enhance individuals' success as a women's health researcher and our success as a women's health institute.
I’m doing research at BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre – what does that mean for me?
We hope you will be part of building this Institute so that it is relevant to you and your collaborators, and is best able to support the work you do. We believe that the Women’s Health Research Institute is a wonderful new opportunity for those of us committed to the creation of new knowledge for the betterment of women’s health and whole-heartedly encourage you to join.
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As a member of the WHRI - What kind of support will you provide
me?
The WHRI serves to provide research support infrastructure in a way that is both synergistic and complementary to infrastructure currently available. We are currently conducting a needs assessment to determine how best to serve our researchers' needs and would love to hear from you. We invite you to be part of our growth and to help us by influencing the early development and overall direction of the WHRI.
I want to be involved – what do I do now?
We'd love to hear from you! Please contact Heather Rilkoff at hrilkoff@cw.bc.ca or 604-875-3459.
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How do I make a donation to support women’s health research?
To make a donation in support of research at the Women’s Health Research Institute, or for more information, please contact the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation website at http://www.bcwomensfoundation.org/ or call: 604-875-2270, or toll-free: 1-888-823-9992.
How do I contact the Women’s Health Research Institute?
Women's Health Research Institute
Room E204 - 4500 Oak Street, Box 42
Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Phone: 604-875-3459
Fax: 604-875-3895
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