Canada’s health-care crisis is gendered: How the burden of care falls to women

Women — particularly racialized women — are more likely to be in positions at the lower end of the health sector's pay scale, that also require close and prolonged contact with patients. (Shutterstock)

As we enter cold, flu and COVID season, Canada is continuing to experience a health-care crisis. One in six Canadians don’t have a family doctor and less than 50 per cent are able to see a primary care provider on the same or next day. Both the B.C. Nurses Union and Hospital Employees Union report over one-third of their members are considering quitting, largely due to burnout.

Because women make up 75 per cent of the health-care workforce — and are responsible for the majority of care work in the community and at home — women bear the brunt of this crisis, much as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic.