The Fifth Wave

Artificial Intelligence is not just here, it’s constantly advancing.  In this episode, we look at how AI can reshape women’s healthcare.  And the risks that come with it.  From smartwatches that collect gender specific data, to algorithms that are trained on male dominated data sets, we look at the promise, as well as the pitfalls of AI in a space that has long been underserved by medical research.  Our guests weigh in on how bias, data quality, and culture affect the tools shaping our future.  And what it will take to close the gender health gap.  

Key Takeaways: 

If there is bias going in, we’ll have bias coming out.  AI tools often rely on existing healthcare data that skews male, which creates risks for misdiagnosis and inequity for women’s healthcare. 
Wearables, like smart watches and rings, may be the tool that helps crack the gender data gap by providing a proliferation of gender specific health data. 
AI is a support, not a substitute for medical advice.  While it can empower patients with more precise language and self tracking, we still need expert diagnosis and human oversight.
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Giles Crouch, Digital Anthropologist https://www.gilescrouch.com/
Dr. Gillian Einstein – University of Toronto Dr. Gillian Einstein U of T
Dr. Maria Migas, Menopause Specialist, Halifax, NS
Ujwal Arkalgud, Cultural Anthropologist, Author and Entrepreneur

The Jetsons Pillcam Episode 1962:  The Jetsons Pillcam (1962)

The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.

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.

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.

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.

In this eye-opening episode, we step aboard “The Menopause Train” to explore the biological, emotional, and societal impact of menopause. Once whispered about as “The Change,” menopause is now entering mainstream conversation thanks to advocates like journalist Tamsen Fadal and menopause specialist Dr. Maria Migas. We unpack the reality of perimenopause and menopause, the lack of medical training around it, and the pressing need for better education, support, and workplace accommodations.  This episode encourages us all—regardless of gender—to recognize, normalize, and support the menopausal journey.

Key Takeaways:
Menopause is more than just hot flashes.  With over 30 potential symptoms, including brain fog, anxiety and bladder infections, menopause can significantly impact daily life and is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.  
Medical training and awareness are lagging behind.  Most doctors receive minimal education on menopause, leaving many women without adequate support or treatment options during this stage of life.  
Advocacy is fueling change.  Voices like Tamsen Fadal’s are pushing menopause into public conversations.  These kinds of public conversations are calling for better research, resources and workplace policies to address the huge economic cost of unmanaged symptoms in Canada alone. 
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Tamsen Fadal:  https://www.tamsenfadal.com/
Dr. Maria Migas, Halifax, NS  The Menopause Society of Nova Scotia
Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO of the IWK Foundation, Halifax, NS  https://iwkfoundation.org/
Menopause Foundation of Canada
The Fifth Wave is produced by Story Studio Network.