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TORONTO, Oct. 29,
2024 /CNW/ - Manulife Canada, in collaboration with
Cleveland Clinic Canada and the womenmind™ initiative
at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), has
released a new report revealing important health challenges
affecting women in the workplace. Drawn from Manulife Group
Benefits aggregate claims data, the report highlights the impact of
menopause and other women's health issues in the workplace and
offers strategies for employers to better support their female
employees. As experts in their respective fields, Cleveland Clinic
Canada and CAMH's womenmind initiative provided insights and
commentary throughout the report based on the data.
Key Highlights:
- Menopause: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use rose
20.7 per cent from 2020 to 2023.
- Fertility Drug Use: Fertility drug use has risen by 25.7
per cent since the pandemic.
- Postpartum Mental Health: 15.1 per cent of new mothers
made mental health claims within six months of giving birth, with
42 per cent seeking help for the first time.
The report highlights a growing need for menopause support in
the workplace, revealing a 20.7 per cent increase in HRT use among
women aged 45 to 65 from 2020 to 2023. Menopausal symptoms that can
be debilitating – such as hot flashes, fatigue, memory loss and
depression – negatively impact work for 59 per cent of women aged
45 to 55,i and data from the Canadian Menopause
Foundation reveals that 10 per cent of women in Canada will stop working because of
uncontrolled menopause symptoms.
Despite the severe symptoms menopause can have on women, the
report notes that HRT is widely underutilized due to misconceptions
around its safety. While the number of women who are taking HRT has
increased, Manulife data further indicates that only 13 per cent of
Canadian women, aged 45-65, take HRT to ease their symptoms.
Greater education and awareness among healthcare professionals and
employers can help ensure that more women have access to effective
treatment options.
Employers can play a key role by developing workplace strategies
for women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms, including more
comprehensive drug coverage, flexible work schedules, and by
normalizing discussions about menopause in the workplace. According
to the report, these measures can help reduce absenteeism, enhance
workplace well-being, and improve retention among women.
In addition to menopause, the report examines the stress and
anxiety that can occur as a result of infertility. It is estimated
that one in six Canadians experience infertility,ii but
the report highlights that only 10 per cent of Canadians with a
Manulife Group Benefits plan have fertility treatment benefits.
With fertility drug use increasing more than 25 per cent since the
pandemic, employers who offer comprehensive fertility benefits can
ease the financial and emotional strain on aspiring parents and
support their family-building journey.
Postpartum mental health is another area highlighted in the
report, with 15.1 per cent of new mothers making mental health
claims within six months of giving birth; 42 per cent for the first
time. The report looks at ways employers can expand their
postpartum mental health benefits to support new mothers'
well-being and ease their return to work.
Quotes:
"Manulife recognizes that supporting women's health – whether
related to menopause, fertility, or postpartum mental health – is
essential for fostering a productive and inclusive workforce.
Comprehensive benefits and flexibility can make all the difference
in helping women thrive both personally and professionally."
Jenn Foubert, Assistant
Vice-President, Health, Well-being and Disability Products,
Manulife
"Menopause symptoms, like fatigue and memory issues, can
significantly impact daily work life. By increasing awareness of
hormone replacement therapy, we can ensure women get the tailored
care they need to manage these changes effectively and to minimize
the impact on their daily lives."
Dr. Zubina Mawji, Primary Care Physician and Certified Menopause
Practitioner, Cleveland Clinic Canada
"Supporting women's mental health during key life transitions,
such as postpartum and menopause, is critical and too often
overlooked. A comprehensive approach from employers is essential in
fostering a healthy, inclusive workplace."
Dr. Liisa Galea, Senior
Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international
financial services provider, helping people make their decisions
easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in
Toronto, Canada, we provide
financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across
Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the
United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the
global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we
serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members
worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees,
over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving
over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New
York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in
Hong Kong.
Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For
additional information, please visit manulife.com.
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i
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World Economic
Forum
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ii
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Canadian Fertility and
Andrology Society
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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation