Mapping women's health and well-being in Canada: A scoping review of findings from the Canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA)

BACKGROUND: Women's health research is limited. The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) offers rich data relevant to women's health. However, no review has examined how CLSA data have been used to study women's health. This scoping review: 1) identifies key research areas and trends; 2) synthesizes findings; 3) examines sex and gender integration; and 4) highlights gaps and opportunities. METHODS: We searched CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, and preprint servers. Studies were included if they: a) included CLSA female participants aged 45+; b) focused on women's health in their aims/objectives; and c) were primary analyses from peer-reviewed publications or preprints. Data were extracted on study aims, CLSA data use, population, methods, sex and gender information, and study results. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies met all inclusion criteria (out of 801 screened). Studies focused on postmenopausal females (n = 12), all reproductive stages (i.e., all females, n = 9), and pre/perimenopausal females (n = 1). Exposures of interest centered on the reproductive system (e.g., menopausal transition, gynecological cancers) and menopause hormone therapy (MHT), whereas outcomes spanned broader health domains, including musculoskeletal, cognitive, metabolic, and cardiovascular. Postmenopausal status and earlier age at menopause were associated with adverse health outcomes. MHT use was linked to both reduced and increased health risks. CONCLUSION: Women's health research using the CLSA data is growing but remains narrowly focused on reproductive health and MHT. Future research should expand beyond the reproductive system and include understudied populations and the menopausal transition.