New research partnership explores the reproductive and mental health of Canadian and British women Veterans

OTTAWA, ON – March 9, 2026 – The Centre for Military Women’s Research at Anglia Ruskin University and the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families have partnered to study the mental and reproductive health of women Veterans in Canada and the United Kingdom. Many women Veterans experience reproductive health issues, but research hasn’t fully considered how common this is and the nature of these issues. By comparing women from Canada and the UK, researchers hope to generate stronger evidence, share learning between the two countries, and ultimately, better support women Veterans.

The study builds on the two institutes’ programs of research focused on women Veterans and contributes to the development of evidence in this critical area by adding an international focus. Dr. Sara Rodrigues, Director of Applied Research at the Atlas Institute, noted that “there is a critical need for focused research on women Veterans’ reproductive health, as treatments are advancing in areas where the evidence base is still emerging, highlighting the opportunity to strengthen care through research that builds understanding of prevalence of certain conditions.”

Dr. Lauren Godier-McBard, Director of the Centre for Military Women’s Research at Anglia Ruskin University, added “We are excited to be partnering on this study with the Atlas Institute. Our organizations have shared values and approaches, including a strong focus on the engagement of with people with lived experience. This partnership is a natural fit.”

By the end of the study, Atlas and Anglia Ruskin University hope to better understand what factors persist regardless of context, which factors are influenced by a woman Veterans’ background and circumstances, and to generate evidence to support more holistic, gender-responsive approaches to women Veterans’ health care.

Recruitment has been launched and researchers are seeking participants who are women (female sex at birth) Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, UK Armed Forces, or former uniformed members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or UK police, aged 18+, able to read and write in English or French, and living in Canada or the UK. Participants can take the survey at atlasveterans.ca/study-reproductive-health.

For more information, please contact: media@atlasinstitute.ca