2012-2013Annual Report

2 Canadian Women’s Health Network

Independent Women’s Health Information You Can

Because…n Health is a human right that is often denied women in

Canada, because of poverty, geography, language or cultural barriers, lack of services, or government and social policies;

n Health conditions that uniquely affect women are often ignored or underfunded;

n Women using the health care system often experience bias and discrimination; and

n Many websites, brochures and advertisements promote products rather than unbiased health information,

The Canadian Women’s Health Network was formed so that all women could receive the independent health information and healthcare services they need.

About Us

We are a dynamic non-profit network of people and organiza-tions united by their interest and concern for women’s health. The Canadian Women’s Health Network (CWHN) was founded in 1993. We are a national organization, dedicated to improving the health and lives of girls and women in Canada. Our work extends to every corner of the country and beyond, with ongoing partnerships with all of the Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health, as well as dozens of other regional and local groups.

Our Goalsn To serve as the leading independent national voice for

women’s health in Canada.

n To improve the health of all Canadian women by acting as a vital information link between women and Canada’s health system.

n To provide easy access to reliable health information, resources and research.

n To produce user-friendly materials and resources in English and French.

n To monitor emerging issues and trends affecting women’s health.

n To act as a knowledge broker between researchers, clinicians, community leaders, government decision makers, and the public.

n To promote partnerships across Canada based on women’s health issues, the needs of special communities and among health advocates.

n To act as a forum for critical debate on women’s health research and policy issues.

n To bring all parts of the health care system together to improve health policies and practices that affect Canadian women.

Annual Report 2012-2013 3

Co-chairs’ Message

Changes & Opportunities

The Canadian Women’s Health Network celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013, and while that is clearly a reason to celebrate, it has been a particularly challenging year for us

all. In March 2013 we, along with the Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health and the Réseau québécois d’action pour la santé des femmes, lost our main source of funding from Health Canada. This major change has been both a loss and an opportunity to develop new strengths and direction while continuing to focus on what Canadian women, researchers and policy makers expect from us—objective, trustworthy and topical information about the health issues that matter most to Canadian women.

It is more than fitting that our new Executive Director Anne Rochon Ford was at the helm for the 20th anniversary given her involvement with CWHN since its beginning in 1993. The articles she wrote for the website to celebrate 20 years of CWHN provide a perspective on the past but, more importantly, remind us of the solid foundation that exists for the future. For example, Anne’s work with the National Networks on Environments and Women’s Health has dovetailed with CWHN’s work this year through a focus on women, plastics and breast cancer among other environmental and occupational health issues.

An important initiative in 2012-13 began with our decision to apply for charitable status from the federal government—to open the door to additional funding sources and permit us to provide tax receipts to donors. Subsequently, the Executive Director, Board and staff—with considerable guidance from fundraiser Theresa Dobko—put a concerted effort into that application and we are thrilled to announce that the government granted charitable status at the end of the 2013 calendar year. The CWHN is now able to issue income tax receipts for donations.

In addition to this focus on development and fundraising, we have continued with our work on girls, women and alcohol and, as mentioned, women’s health and the environment among other initiatives. Read on for the details.

Throughout this year of change and opportunity we have relied on the incredible support of our donors and supporters along with the hard work and dedication of our Executive Director, staff, Board and volunteers. Collectively we continue to work to provide information and support to women of all ages so that they can make the best decisions about their own health.

Janet Currie & Lee Pearson, Co-chairs Board of Directors, 2012-2013

Executive Director’s Message

20 Years of CWHN

It’s been an exciting and challenging first year as Executive Director at CWHN. Our 20th anniversary is one highlight that gave

me the opportunity to reflect and write about CWHN’s history for the website, my own involvement and the contributions of many dedicated women over the years, some of whom continue to help shape the future of CWHN. The articles are on the website under the banner of our 20th anniversary logo.

Here are a few other highlights of the year. We:

n Launched CWHN’s redesigned website in July 2012, a showcase for the eLibrary (over 15,000 resources), women’s health news, feature articles, webinars, podcasts and events.

n Worked with the National Network on Environments and Women’s Health (NNEWH) on women, plastics and breast cancer, specifically for women working in the auto industry.

n Published an award-winning feature article on mammography by journalist Ann Silversides, and another on breast self-examinations.

n Co-sponsored the National Roundtable on Girls, Women and Alcohol. It brought together key stakeholders from across Canada to examine women’s drinking patterns and the information gaps about the effects of alcohol on girls and women. Another roundtable is planned for 2015. Building on the girls, women and alcohol initiative, we received funding from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to research young women’s experiences with alcohol.

We are in the planning phase of developing a resource guide for women experiencing anxiety and depression. And we are developing a resource portal to bring together the health resources that exist in multiple languages for newcomer women and their families.

So, our 20th anniversary has been a time to reflect but our main focus is on the present and building this national women’s health network for the future. With active Board members, dedicated staff and volunteers, our plans and work continue despite financial insecurity. Our newly acquired charitable status is a great boost. Read on to learn more about the specifics of our work this year, projects that are underway and our plans for the future. We hope that you too—as individuals, researchers, policy makers and advocates—will see the importance of CWHN’s health initiatives and resources, and will support us in our continued work.

Anne Rochon Ford, Executive Director, 2012-2013

4 Canadian Women’s Health Network

Our eLibrary

One of the cornerstones of the Canadian Women’s Health Network is our library. Begun in 1993 as a print collection, our library mushroomed to include online materials almost the minute the technology was creat ed to make e-libraries possible.

Our English language records reached 10,519 this year and our French language collection stands at 3,743 records, making the CWHN eLibrary one of the largest online women’s health collections in Canada. We also have 1,070 items in dozens of other langua ges, showing our commitment to reaching women in a diversity of lan guages and across the country.

All of these resources are search able from our website. This gives everyone—free of charge—access to more than 15,000 online publications, videos and webinars on hundreds of topics. The CWHN maintains links to thousands of health organizations in our eLibrary, so we can promote the best independent health information from across Canada.

The many books and printed materials on Canadian women’s health collected by CWHN over the past 20 years are now publicly available at the Morisset Library at the University of Ottawa.

CWHN.ca

The CWHN website was completely redesigned and relaunched in its new format in July 2012. Since then the website has received over 465,000 visitors (a 29% increase over the entire previous year). The average monthly visits totalled over 52,000 with the most visitors from Canada, the US, France and Britain.

The website continues to be the “go to” place for up-to-date information on women’s health issues in Canada. Articles, news, book reviews, webinars and podcasts published on the website critically challenge mainstream thinking about women’s health and offer perspectives with no commercial interests attached. Highlights this year include:

n “Not a Flower Shop,” a feature article and webinar with researchers Jim Brophy and Marg Keith on their ground-breaking study on endocrine disruptors in the workplace with the National Network on Environments and Women’s Health.

n “Mammography Screening,” a feature article by journalist Ann Silversides raising critical questions about mammography (voted “Best Online Story” at the 2012 Media Awards, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario).

n “Spring Talks Sex,” a new monthly blog by sexual health educator Lyba Spring; and “To the Point,” a regular guest column by experts on a range of women’s health issues.

n A series of book reviews by Susan White on the theme of women’s health and racism for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21st.

n Articles and webinars/podcasts on girls, women and alcohol; obesity and food security; hypersexualization of young girls; health care for the LGBTQ community; and Designer Genitalia, a podcast on genital cosmetic surgery.

The website also houses our regular features, including What’s Hot women’s health news; Brigit’s Notes monthly e-newsletter; and personal health FAQs and primers on a range of topics.

All are available at CWHN.ca—your portal to trusted women’s health resources in Canada.

CWHN @ CWHN.ca

Since its relaunch in July, CWHN.ca received over 465,000 visitors (52,000 per month), up 29% from the entire previous fiscal year. CWHN.ca is your portal to trusted women’s health resources in Canada.

Support CWHN. Donate today!

Annual Report 2012-2013 5

2012-13Breast Cancer Prevention

CWHN has been working on a number of initiatives related to breast cancer prevention, and the environmental and occupational links to breast cancer.

n The CWHN Breast Cancer Prevention postcard project “Get the Word Out!” for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

n Webinar co-sponsored with the National Network on Environments and Women’s Health examining the possible links between endocrine-disrupting chemicals in some workplaces and the high rates of breast cancer.

n The Network article, “Not a Flower Shop: Exploring Breast Cancer Risk and Gender Bias” documents an interview with the two researchers who presented the webinar, Jim Brophy and Marg Keith.

n Two Network articles on themes related to breast health: Award-winning journalist Ann Silversides unpacks the thorny issues of mammography screening and why the thinking has changed about breast self-examination.

n A guest commentary, “Unpacking the Great Mammography Debate” by Dr. Cornelia Barnes, co-investigator on the Canadian National Breast Screening Study.

These are complex issues in the world of breast cancer research, and our resources are an important contribution to the ongoing discussion in the Canadian context.

Girls, Women and Alcohol

CWHN began work on the initiative on girls, women and alcohol last year. This year we have been working closely with Ann Dowsett Johnston, journalist and author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. In March 2013 we celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a National Roundtable on Girls, Women and Alcohol in Toronto, co-sponsored with the Atkinson Foundation. The full-day event brought together a line-up of top thinkers in this area, to discuss how to stem the tide of risky drinking that is becoming more and more prevalent in younger and younger women. The event also shone light on how alcohol marketing targeted directly to women fuels increased consumption. A second roundtable is planned for 2015.

Additional resources associated with this initiative:

n Network article “Women and Alcohol: To Your Health” by award-winning journalist and author Ann Dowsett Johnston. June 6, 2012.

n CWHN webinar and interview with Ann Dowsett Johnston on June 7, 2012.

n National Roundtable website with links to videos of the keynote speakers from the Roundtable event in Toronto.

n Interview with Ann Dowsett Johnston on the CBC Sunday Edition, September 19, 2013.

Parallel to the girls, women and alcohol initiative, we received funding from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to research young women’s experience with alcohol and their information needs. A follow-up study on older women is being planned and we are actively searching for other provincial partners to make this a national initiative.

+

More to Come

We are currently in the planning phase of an initiative that would involve the creation of comprehensive resources to help women address anxiety and depression using a resiliency and empowerment model. Another priority project involves the development of a resource portal for health resources in multiple languages for newcomer women and their families.

Alcohol marketing targeted to young women. Photo: A. Rochon Ford

Plastics workers at an Ontario plant. Photo: M. Keith

6 Canadian Women’s Health Network

Our 20th Anniversary Challenge

It’s been quite an anniversary for CWHN. After 17 years our funding from Health Canada ended on March 31, 2013—a drop in revenues of 90%. Other funding-cut casualties were all five Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health nationwide as well as the Réseau québé cois d’action pour la santé des femmes.

Despite the loss of funding the CWHN remains hopeful (and busy) during this 20th anniversary and as we look forward to the next fiscal year. Our newly acquired charitable status was approved after the end of this fiscal year, yet we still managed to raise over $28,000 in donations and over $30,000 in project funding this year. Now, as a registered charity, we are able to seek new sources of funding, and can provide tax receipts for donations.

Your donations will fund CWHN resources and services through our website as well as current and new initiatives on girls, women and alcohol; breast cancer prevention; women’s health and the environment; and practical health resources for women with anxiety and depression, and for newcomers to Canada.

CWHN has been a proud independent voice on women’s health for 20 years. Help us make a difference for the next 20 years.

CWHN in the News

CWHN was also involv ed in a number of national media stories:

n “Health Canada cuts funding to women’s health research groups,” Toronto Star, April 25, 2012.

n “The big sleep: Canada’s dangerous love affair with tranquillizers,” Ottawa Citizen, July 13, 2012 (also National Post, Times-Colonist, Montreal Gazette, Leader Post).

n “Risk averted - hormone therapy regains support,” Ottawa Citizen, September 10, 2012 (also Vancouver Sun, Leader Post, Montreal Gazette, Edmonton Journal, Star Phoenix).

n “Exposure to workplace chemicals increases breast cancer risk: study,” CityNews, Toronto, November 19, 2012.

n “Scrutiny of Diane-35 due to potential dangers of off-label prescribing,” Canadian Medical Assoc Journal, February 19, 2013.

n “What can be done about our binge-drinking girls?” Toronto Star, March 14, 2013.

n “Mammography Screening,” a feature in Network magazine by journalist Ann Silversides challenging the new mammography guidelines won “Best Online Story” at the 2012 Media Awards, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. March 7, 2013.

the CWHN

CWHN’s New Charitable StatusCWHN is now a registered charity and we depend on your donations to meet our current budget. Please support CWHN. Make a tax-deductible donation online at www.cwhn.ca. Send a cheque or call us at 1.888.818.9172 to discuss how you can help.n Make an Individual Donationn Become a Membern Hold a Fundraising Eventn Make a Foundation Grantn Become a Corporate

Sponsorn Donate Services

Annual Report 2012-2013 7

Statement Of OperationsFor the year ended March 31, 2013

Revenue

Health Canada $ 373,508

Special Project Grants 30,562

Donations 28,139

Subscriptions --

Memberships 2,875

Other 2,380

$ 437,464

Expenses

Salaries and Contract Staff $ 354,676

National Travel 30,055

Program Evaluation 27,979

Toll-Free Line and Telephones 7,327

Special Projects 13,948

Website 1,298

Rent and Utilities 7,077

Printing and Supplies 16,870

Postage 2,266

Board Committee and Staff Costs 698

Audit and Professional Fees 14,956

Insurance 2,098

Administration/Banking 3,496

$ 482,744

(Deficiency) Excess of revenues over expenses $ (45,280)

Statement of Changes in Fund BalancesMarch 31, 2013

Operating Reserve Futures MBV Fund Fund Fund Fund* Total

Fund balance, beginning of year $ 58,508 $ 95,601 $ 43,974 $ 5,380 $ 203,463

(Deficiency) excess of revenues over expenses (45,684) – 404 – (45,280)

Fund balance, end of year $ 12,824 $ 95,601 $ 44,378 $ 5,380 $ 158,183

*Madeline Boscoe Visionary Fund

Condensed financial statements are prepared by the Board of Directors. Full audited statements are available on request.

Our Partners

We Gratefully Acknowledge Our Major Donors

Inside the CWHNBoard of Directors for 2012-2013

Janet Currie. Co-chair Murielle Gagné-Ouelette

Lee Pearson, Co-chair, Treasurer Praseedha Janakiram

Merryl Bear Shree Mulay

Madeleine Bird Chi Nguyen

Andrea Collins Sugandhi Wickremarachchi

Susan Woodward

Staff – Full-time/Part-time/Contract

Anne Rochon Ford, Executive Director Ellen Reynolds

Susan White, Assistant Executive Director Magali Rootham

Léonie Lafontaine Polina Rozanov

Catalina Mendoza Jane Shulman

Alex Merrill Tanya Smith

Janice Nagazine Rhonda Thompson

.

419 Graham Avenue, Suite 203, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3C 0M3

Tel: 204.942.5500 Toll free: 1.888.818.9172 e-mail: cwhn@cwhn.ca

www.cwhn.ca

Janice Nagazine

In 2013, we were deeply saddened by the untimely death of our friend and colleague, Janice Nagazine. Janice was our Finance Officer at the CWHN from 2004 to 2012, a job she carried out with integrity, professionalism and always in an understated and quiet way. We miss her greatly.

The CWHN is grateful to Theresa Dobko for her considerable fundraising efforts in this period on behalf of the CWHN.

Kazimiera Adamowski

Pat and Hugh Armstrong

Rosemary Barnes

Janine Cobb

Joann Cook

Janet Currie

Suzanne Elston

Linda Furlini

Michael Gilbertson

Karen Grant

Anthony Holmes

Irene Jansen

Helen A J Levine

Barbara Mintzes

Shree Mulay

Ngan T Kim Nguyen

Holly Nimmons

Anna Marie Osier

Ann Pederson

Jacqueline Preyde

Anne Rochon Ford

Harriet G. Rosenberg

Johanne Saint-Charles

Chris Sinding

Laura Sky

Joan Turner

Alan Walker

Gail Watson

Barbara Wiktorowicz

Judy Wilson

Libby Yager

OrganizationsCentre for Health & Well Being

Centre for Menstrual Cycle & Ovulaton Research

Fédération provinciale des Fransaskoise

La Marie DeBout Centre de femmes

Naturopathic Foundations Health Clinic

SOS Violence Conjugale

Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes