Health of Alberta women devastated by COVID-19 pandemic

From mental health to physical health, a report from the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation says the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on women in Alberta.

“What was quite shocking for us was that 11 per cent of respondents did say they were experiencing thoughts of harming themselves,” said Foundation President and CEO Sharlene Rutherford.

Rutherford says the survey of over twelve hundred women showed that 63 per cent felt that stress from the pandemic had affected their physical health.

“Women have shared with us the stress overloads they are under and the pressures they are under. The pressure of managing a home, being a child’s educator, caring for elderly parents and the burden of taking care of a home.”

Rutherford adds they have also put off self-care in many ways, like missed appointments.

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“An estimated almost 42,000 mammograms were suspended through pandemic and 60,000 pap smears were postponed during a three to four month time frame.”

Rutherford says the recent childcare agreement between the province and federal government is good news for women and their health and she hopes to see more policies putting women first in the pandemic recovery.