For decades, the health of women and gender diverse people has been under-researched, leading to disparities in health outcomes, gaps in access to care and too many instances of mis- and under-diagnosis. The National Women’s Health Research Initiative (NWHRI), led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, has been working to change that, with a focus on evidence-based solutions that will directly improve women’s and gender diverse people’s access to and experience within the health care system.

“I am proud to see great science finding solutions for the broadest range of health issues facing women and gender diverse people. What makes this research even more important is that the topics were identified by women as their health research priorities.”

The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health

“The National Women’s Health Research Initiative is about more than addressing gaps in women’s and gender diverse people’s health—it’s a commitment to advancing gender equality in Canada. By fostering talent development, supporting diverse researchers, and driving systemic change, this initiative ensures better health outcomes for all and strengthens the future of scientific research.”

The Honourable Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

“When it comes to improving health outcomes and access to health care, what women and gender diverse communities need are real-world, evidence-based solutions. That’s exactly what these 24 projects are delivering.”

Dr. Angela Kaida
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Gender and Health

• Women and gender diverse people have been historically under-represented in medical research, such as clinical trials.

• The purpose of this funding is to support innovative applied health research to address implementation gaps and advance real-world solutions that improve access to health care and ultimately improve health outcomes for women, girls and gender diverse people across Canada.

• Translational research refers to projects focused on expediting the development and adoption of new health care diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices for the benefit of women, girls, and gender diverse people within the health care system.

• Health care implementation science refers to projects focused on scaling up promising practices for removing barriers and improving access to health care.

• The initiative goes beyond the sex and gender binary and welcomes the experiences and needs of all people who identify as a woman, girl, intersex, and/or an under-represented gender identity, including, but not limited to, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender fluid and agender people.

Related products

• Backgrounder: National Women’s Health Research Initiative – Translational and Implementation Science Grants

Associated links

• National Women's Health Research Initiative: Initiative Components
• Meet the Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition

Matthew Kronberg
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
343-552-5654

Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.