Women, Health and Action

What makes us healthy? We all know about fruits and vegetables, but did you know that the 12 determinants of health identified by Health Canada are: income and social status, employment, education, social environments, physical environments, healthy childhood development, personal health practices and coping skills, health services, social support networks, biology and genetic endowment, gender, and culture [Note: Health Canada has since recognized race/racism as determinants of health]. The kind of society we live in has a great impact on our health. Using a feminist, intersectional lens, this health fact sheet explores the structural factors impacting diverse women’s health, and the actions we can take to improve the health of all women and of their communities.