Closing the gender health gap

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How Sun Life’s women’s health toolkit is helping workplaces support women at every stage

THROUGHOUT THEIR lives, women encounter a spectrum of health challenges – ranging from reproductive concerns to chronic conditions, mental health issues, and age-related changes. These experiences, although as personal and varied as each woman, share a troubling commonality: many are shrouded in stigma or misunderstanding. Topics like menstruation and menopause remain “uncomfortable” subjects, especially in many workplaces. Women face different symptoms across various physical issues, such as cardiovascular risks, that are frequently overlooked or not recognized. In addition to physical challenges, mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, often go unaddressed, especially in the workplace due to fear of professional repercussions. This intersection of health challenges, lack of understanding of the societal pressures women face, and the demands of the workplace can significantly impact women’s overall well-being

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions to individual and institutional clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2024, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.51 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE), and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

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Why this health gap exists

The stigma in discussing and dealing with women-specific health issues, such as reproductive and gynecological health.

“Leaders play a critical role in shaping workplace culture. When they’re willing to talk openly about health issues and show support, it sends a powerful message to employees”

Marie-Chantal Côté, Sun Life

and their career trajectories. Yet many of these critical health needs remain unaddressed in professional settings. For many employers, the desire to support women’s health is there, but the path forward isn’t always clear. Where should they start? How can they justify the need to allocate resources over other initiatives? And what does meaningful support even look like? Often, conversations about women’s health in the workplace have been relegated to HR communications and employee-led groups. To address these challenges, Sun Life developed the Women’s Health Toolkit – a practical, easy-to-use resource that defines the problems, outlines tailored solutions, and empowers employers to take action. The aim is simple: to help employers create workplaces where women are supported holistically, reducing health disparities while fostering productivity and career growth – turning intention into impact. Creating change requires more than good intentions. It demands leadership. “Leaders play a critical role in shaping workplace culture,” says Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice president, group benefits at Sun Life. “When they’re willing to talk openly about health issues and show support, it sends a powerful message to employees. It says, ‘This is a safe space. We’re here to support you.’”

The gender health gap, a term that neatly encapsulates the disparities women face in accessing healthcare, is pervasive. Despite progress in gender equity, women continue to encounter systemic barriers rooted in stigma, insufficient research, and unconscious bias. For instance, women in Canada account for 75 percent of adverse drug reactions because they were historically excluded from clinical trials. They are also more likely to be misdiagnosed or dismissed altogether when presenting symptoms of conditions like cardiovascular disease. The workplace can amplify these inequities. Consider

menopause, a natural phase of life. While most women will go through it, many women find it challenging to get proper health support. This leads to one in 10 women leaving their job because of untreated symptoms. According to research from Sun Life, three out of four women experience symptoms that disrupt daily life, and yet over half feel they can’t talk about it at work. And that’s just one example. Fertility issues, postpartum depression, and menstrual health remain taboo topics in many professional environments, leaving women to suffer in silence. That’s why Sun Life partnered with the Menopause Foundation of Canada to promote education and advocacy regarding the impact of menopause on women in the workplace. They were also the first organization to sign up for the Menopause Works Here™ campaign, to champion the creation of menopause-inclusive workplaces. This is part of their journey to help employers support women’s health in the workplace.

coverage that includes counselling and stress management resources can help employees address challenges before they escalate. Expanded benefits for paramedical services, menopause hormone therapy, and fertility treatments offer targeted support for women’s health at all life stages. Spending accounts for wellness expenses, such as postpartum recovery tools or alternative menopause treatments, provide further flexibility to meet diverse needs. Digital-first solutions like virtual healthcare and employee assistance programs also offer accessible, cost-effective support for physical, mental, and emotional health. “Employers have a key role to play. Many of them already have benefits to support women’s health – they just need to weave them into conversations and communications,” says Côté. “By supporting women’s health in our workplaces, we also help support their careers and their ability to balance work with other responsibilities.” What sets this toolkit apart is its emphasis on education and advocacy. It’s not just about tweaking benefits plans – it’s about changing workplace culture. By encouraging open conversations about women’s health, employers can reduce the stigma that often keeps women from seeking support.

Employers can foster a culture where colleagues and supervisors offer understanding and care, particularly during health challenges or personal crises. Employers who invest in integrated care create a ripple effect: healthier employees who feel supported are more engaged, productive, and loyal to their organizations. Côté stresses, “The Canadian economy relies heavily on women’s contributions. They comprise nearly half the workforce and are vital across diverse sectors – from healthcare and education to finance and increasingly in fields

such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. As a leader, I recognize that supporting and retaining talented women is crucial for building robust, competitive organizations that strengthen Canada’s economic future.” Read comprehensive information about women’s health and how you can take action here.

The silent crisis of the gender health gap

Changing the narrative

Published March 3, 2025

“By supporting women’s health in our workplaces, we also help support their careers and their ability to balance work with other responsibilities”

Marie-Chantal Côté, Sun Life

A historical and continuing lack of research on women’s health. Often research was done on men and generalized to women. Low awareness and understanding of how some conditions can manifest differently in women from men.

Understand how your current benefits plan coverage meets women’s health needs

What employers can do

Identify ways to address coverage gaps – and align these with your budget

Set targeted, measurable, and realistic objectives

Strengthen your workplace culture

Their new Women’s Health Toolkit is Sun Life’s answer to supporting Canadian employers. It’s practical and comprehensive, offering employers a clear road map to create meaningful support for women in their workplaces. At its core, the toolkit identifies the problems women face, explains why these issues matter to businesses, and provides actionable solutions that can be tailored to any workplace. The toolkit guides employers through assessing their current benefits plans, identifying gaps, and building the business case needed to secure buy-in. Workplace benefits are a vital tool for closing the gender health gap. Health supports like comprehensive mental health

A toolkit for change

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Resources

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