Women’s health knowledge translation initiative & science communication training program

The proposed project will provide opportunities for multidisciplinary trainees to develop and strengthen their science communication skills by learning from experts and gaining hands on experience translating knowledge using multiple mediums—a women’s health podcast, video series and blog. These KT products will draw attention and dispense knowledge to the public and the scientific community about women’s health research. Why is this important to convey? Although funding agencies mandate the inclusion of both sexes, women’s health is much more than how they differ from men. Women’s health is directly influenced by physiological and  societal challenges that are unique to women. There is a critical need to convey how different physiological experiences (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) influence women’s health and how gendered experiences and expectations drive disparities in women’s health (e.g. greater misdiagnosis in women compared to men). For example, oral contraceptives influence depression risk depending on a woman’s age or whether she is pregnant, postpartum or menopausal, as these factors differentially influence drug efficacy. MSFHR funding will provide payments for research users and trainees to produce outputs.