Sun Life Report Signals Emerging Health Challenges Impacting Younger Canadian Women

Executive Summary

• Sun Life released its “Focus on Women’s Health” report, highlighting rising health challenges among younger Canadian women, including cancer, migraine, and diabetes.
• Key findings show cancer rates for women under 50 are twice those of men, migraine drug claims are 4‑5× higher, and diabetes drug claims for women are growing 40 % faster than for men.
• The report recommends workplace interventions such as virtual care, migraine management programs, chronic disease coaching, EAP services, and menopause‑inclusive policies.

Key Details

• Analysis based on health‑claims data from >3 million plan members and 20 000 employers across Canada.
• Cancer: Women <50 experience cancer rates twice that of men; breast‑cancer cases have risen over the past 30 years, contributing to a higher share of long‑term disability claims.
• Migraine: Women are 3× more likely than men to suffer migraines; drug‑claim incidence peaks in women aged 40–59 (perimenopausal/post‑menopausal).
• Diabetes & Hypertension: Claims for diabetes drugs among women grow 40 % faster than men’s; women under 30 now outpace young men in claims for diabetes and high‑blood‑pressure medications.
• Mental Health: 45 % of women’s disability claims relate to mental‑health issues versus 33 % for men.
• Additional Trends: Higher prevalence of menopause‑related concerns, caregiving burdens, and impacts from extreme weather events on women’s health.
• Workplace Recommendations:
• Lumino Virtual Care (Dialogue) – early cancer screening referrals.
• Migraine management coverage – prescriptions, therapies (massage, acupuncture), CBT.
• Chronic disease coaching via Online Pharmacy (Pillway).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for broader health resilience.
• Menopause‑inclusive policies and toolkits for employer use.

Notable Quotes

• “These findings remind us that behind every statistic are real women navigating demanding lives and complex health needs,” – Marie‑Chantal Côté, Senior Vice‑President, Sun Life Health.

Materiality Assessment: Non‑Material – Neutral (informational research release without direct financial impact).