$5M national research network to transform recovery and rehabilitation for women after heart-brain health events
08/13/2026
Jodi Edwards, PhD, Investigator with Bruyère Health Research Institute and Scientist with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute will lead a new national network focused on improving rehabilitation and recovery for women following heart-brain events such as stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest.
With $5 million in funding from Heart & Stroke and Brain Canada, the RENEW Network (Redesigning Effective aNd Equitable systems of care for Women’s heart-brain recovery)’s goal is to redesign women’s heart and brain rehabilitation to take a whole-person approach to recovery.
Women are less likely to be referred to and to participate in stroke and cardiac recovery programs compared to men. Gaps also persist when care does not take into account sex-specific factors such as menopause, mental health, sociocultural factors, and caregiving responsibilities.
The RENEW Network will focus research on:
- Researching the impact of menopause on recovery
- Improving mental health support for women during heart-brain rehabilitation
- Testing innovative recovery solutions
- Data mapping
Read the full release from
Heart & Stroke.