Rural, Remote and Northern Women’s Health: Policy and Research Directions: Final Summary Report (Book; Web resource) Author: Rebecca Sutherns, PhD; Marilou McPhedran; Margaret Haworth-Brockman; and others Organization: Centres of Excellence for Women's Health The Rural, Remote and Northern Women’s Health report is the result of a two-year Canadian study undertaken by the four Centres of Excellence for Women’s Health. Available in English and French, the study includes both literature reviews and data collected from focus groups and workshops including Aboriginal, Francophone and Anglophone communities across the country. More than 200 women from rural, remote and Northern regions in every province and territory were consulted during the study process. The study found that: living in a rural area is a powerful determinant of women’s health; rural women are largely invisible to policy makers; the health-care system is perceived as underfunded and deteriorating; cutbacks have worsened the situation; and poverty and financial insecurity arising from unemployment or low wages and seasonal work affect rural women’s health the most. Based on data from all the sources, 11 priorities for future research are identified. Three policy recommendations are discussed. Policy makers should factor gender, place and culture into policy; define health policy as more than visits to health-care providers (for example, include the benefits of social supports, access to transportation, recreation and child care and the reduction of social and geographic isolation); and improve health by improving access to information, health-care services, appropriate care and decision-making. Eleven related actions tied to the policy recommendations are proposed. Next steps are identified. You may download selected sections or the entire summary report from the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence's website at no charge or order it in hard copy at a cost. Order information is available online. The Women’s Health Bureau, Health Canada, funded the study with assistance from the Office of Rural Health, and the Institute for Gender and Health and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. Web Address:  http://www.pwhce.ca/RR.htm Related Resources: A plain-language kit, designed to share and disseminate the research findings more widely, is also listed in this database. Version française :  Cliquez ici pour voir la description en français Purpose:  Policy; Practitioner information; Research Information Source:  Community-based organization Geographic Origin:  Canada Language of Resource:  English Groups:  Rural women Publisher:  Ottawa, ON: Centres of Excellence for Women's Health Date Published:  2004 Last Reviewed by Women's Health Matters:  September 14, 2006