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The Fifth Wave

The Fifth Wave

Written by: IWK Foundation
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 In The Fifth Wave: Curing the Healthcare Bias against Women, healthcare champions, the IWK Foundation, bring to light the profound and often dangerous consequences the gap in women’s health and research has had on women. The study of human biology has defaulted to the male body, which has hindered understanding of sex-based biological differences and results in fewer available and less effective treatments for women. We have been living in a world built for men, not only in heath care, but transportation, technology and beyond. This series will spark both curiosity and outrage leaving you wanting large scale change – a movement even. With insights from medical experts and researchers, The Fifth Wave challenges the default male standard and asks: What happens when half the population is left out of the equation? We hope to empower every woman and girl with the awareness and information to take charge of her health. Hosted by Avis Favaro.IWK Foundation Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Looking Elsewhere

    Looking Elsewhere
    Nov 12 2025
    Where does Canada sit on the world stage when it comes to women’s healthcare? We have some catching up to do. In this episode of The Fifth Wave: Curing the Healthcare Bias Against Women, we look at what places like the UK, Australia and Nordic countries are doing right, and what we can learn from them. Expert voices Dr. Jocelynn Cook and Dr. Martha Hickey weigh in on the importance of data, as well as tailored policies and community informed research. While systems differ, it’s clear that in order to move forward, Canada must build a women centred strategy that reflects its own reality. And that starts by listening to women and gathering the right data.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Countries like the UK and Australia have national strategies for women’s health that include menopause care, stillbirth prevention and access to contraception and abortion.
    • The barrier in Canada is solvable. Differences in delivery from province to province can make national coordination difficult, but we can still adopt best practices rooted in solid gender specific data.
    • It has to start with listening to women. With accurate data on women’s health issues, we can start to build an effective strategy. Asking women what they want is the first step towards real progress.
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    • Dr. Jocelynn Cook, Chief Scientific Officer for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. https://www.pehe-esep.ca/jocelynn-cook
    • Dr. Martha Hickey, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. https://www.thewomens.org.au/research/research-centres/womens-gynaecology-research-centre/wgrc-our-people/martha-hickey
    The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.
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    22 mins
  • Around the Kitchen Table

    Around the Kitchen Table
    Oct 22 2025
    In this episode of The Fifth Wave, host Avis Favaro sits around the virtual kitchen table with women to share deeply personal stories about gender bias. From life threatening misdiagnosis to breaking down barriers in male dominated fields, the conversation reveals the hidden ways gender shapes women’s lived experiences. And why talking about it matters. Our guests, Rose Fisher and Carliegh Bell tell us about the consequences of being unheard, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where women can be fully recognized.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Gender bias is not just systemic, it is also personal. Rose tells us how her heart attack was initially misdiagnosed as anxiety. Carliegh describes the emotional toll it takes on women to be accepted in a male dominated sector.
    • Women’s voices are data. The importance of listening to women’s stories to help bridge the gender data gap, and improve systems that have been designed without women in mind.
    • Representation is vital for equity and survival. As Rose points out, women are not just “small men”, and solutions have to account for gender specific realities.
    The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.
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    49 mins
  • The Consumerism of Menopause

    The Consumerism of Menopause
    Sep 24 2025
    The conversation around menopause has exploded….but are there complications with that? In this episode of The Fifth Wave, we explore the public discussion, celebrity branding and online influencers shaping the menopause narrative. We get insight from guests Jennifer Barsky, Dr. Heidi Bentley and Dr. Martha Hickey as we look at the tension between empowerment and exploitation. As women look for answers and relief for symptoms that are often misunderstood or ignored, they are navigating a booming $600 billion industry where we sometimes see marketing and desperation collide.

    Key Takeaways:
    • While visibility is rising, so is misinformation. The flood of celebrity products and influencer advice can confuse or mislead women healthcare looking for real help.
    • Healthcare gaps are fueling the market. Many women lack access to informed providers, which can push them towards unregulated supplements and social media for support.
    Education is empowerment. Experts are urging women to turn to credible sources for guidance, like national menopause societies and certified providers. And recommend a sceptical eye towards online advice that is attached to products and supplements.

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    • Jennifer Barsky, founder and executive director of the Menopause Global Alliance
    • Dr. Heidi Bentley, Halifax, NS
    • Dr. Martha Hickey, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. https://www.thewomens.org.au/research/research-centres/womens-gynaecology-research-centre/wgrc-our-people/martha-hickey
    The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.
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    25 mins
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