Creating Awareness and Understanding of the Reproductive Transition on Women’s Health
Speaker: Dr. Colleen M. Norris, PhD, MBA, MN, RN, FAHA, FCAHS FESC, Professor, Faculty of Nursing
Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta
Dr. Colleen Norris is an internationally recognized researcher whose work has transformed understanding of cardiovascular health in women. She is a Professor & Associate Dean of Research, in the Faculty of Nursing with cross-appointments in the Faculties of Medicine & Dentistry and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. As the Cavarzan Chair in Women’s Health Research, Dr. Norris leads a groundbreaking program focused on sex- and gender-based analysis in the reproductive transition, addressing the unique risk factors and care gaps affecting women across the lifespan. With over two decades of research and leadership experience, Dr. Norris has made major contributions to the fields of epidemiology, health services research, and knowledge translation. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, served on national and international expert panels, and played a pivotal role in shaping clinical practice guidelines. Her research spans health equity, patient-centered outcomes, and the integration of sex and gender into health research, policy, and care delivery. Dr. Norris is also a Fellow of both the American Heart Association and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and a passionate advocate for women’s health equity in Canada and beyond.
Talk summary: This presentation highlights the critical need to recognize sex and gender differences in women’s health, particularly during the post-reproductive transition. It draws attention to how unacknowledged sex and gender disparities have exacerbated health inequities, especially in cardiovascular disease (CVD).It emphasizes the importance of rethinking what is considered “normal” in women’s health. Conditions like amenorrhea, hot flashes, heavy bleeding, and sleep disturbances are too often normalized or dismissed, yet they are vascular symptoms and early markers of chronic disease risk. I will also discuss
• The impact of chronic stress and cortisol on hormone imbalance and CVD risk
• The necessity of addressing reproductive aging stages (e.g., perimenopause, menopause) in clinical care
• Key questions healthcare providers should ask women about stress, reproductive history, and hormonal transitions
The overarching message is that women’s health, especially around midlife and hormonal transition, must be redefined, destigmatized, and better integrated into preventive care frameworks—especially as it relates to heart health.
Agenda:
12-12:45 pm EDT: Speaker presentation
12:45-1:00 pm EDT: Question and answer period
