A comprehensive analysis of health claims data has revealed alarming trends in women’s health, with younger Canadian women facing increasingly complex medical challenges at earlier ages than previous generations.
Sun Life’s Focus on Women’s Health report, released Monday, examined data from over three million plan members and 20,000 employers across Canada. The findings highlight three critical areas where women’s health challenges are accelerating.
Cancer rates among women under 50 are now twice as high as men in the same age group, according to the data. Breast cancer cases in women have increased over the past 30 years, outpacing all other age groups. Women’s cancer claims also account for a higher proportion of long-term disability claims compared with men’s.
The report identified migraine as what it termed “a hidden workplace crisis.” Women aged 40–59, corresponding to perimenopausal and postmenopausal years, showed the highest rates of migraine medication claims. Migraine drug claims are four to five times higher for women than for men, with incidence rising globally.
Chronic disease patterns showed particularly concerning trends for young women. Women’s claims for diabetes drugs are growing 40% faster than men’s. Drug claims for diabetes and high blood pressure among women under 30 have begun to outpace those of young men, signalling what the report described as a new wave of chronic illness in younger women.
Source: Sun Life Canada
“These findings remind us that behind every statistic are real women navigating demanding lives and complex health needs,” said Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice-president, Sun Life Health. “By raising awareness and making small but meaningful changes, workplaces can be powerful allies and make a real difference – helping women thrive through every stage of their health journey.”
Mental health continues to disproportionately affect women, with 45% of women’s disability claims reported as being related to mental health, compared with 33% for men. The report noted that issues such as menopause, caregiving, and extreme weather events still affect women disproportionately, with these trends intensifying and occurring at earlier ages.
The report emphasised opportunities for employers to tailor benefits to support women’s health, including virtual care access, migraine management coverage, chronic disease coaching, and menopause-inclusive workplace policies.
Sun Life analysed the data as part of its Designed for Health series.
