What does it mean to be health literate in today’s fast-paced, information-driven world? How do you distinguish science fact from science fiction in an age of misinformation?
Health literacy refers to the ability of people to get, process, understand, and use basic health information and services to make informed decisions about their health. It includes knowing how to describe symptoms, where to find help for health issues, how to understand medical information and how to manage the use of medication safely.
Increasing health literacy is essential to empowering people to manage their health and advocate for their well-being and that of their families, as well as reducing the burden on Canada’s healthcare system. Yet nearly 60 per cent of Canadians aged 16 and older do not have the minimum health literacy levels needed to understand the health information they receive. The statistics are even worse for Canadian seniors, with more than 80 per cent having poor health literacy levels.
Bridging Minds: Health & Science Conversations is a partnership between Women’s College Hospital and Toronto Public Library (TPL), the busiest urban public library in the world, dedicated to promoting health and science literacy within our communities. Through monthly, one-hour expert-led virtual sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of key health and science concepts, learn how to navigate the digital landscape for reliable information, and actively engage with scientific knowledge for informed decision-making.
All talks are delivered virtually by TPL and will support a broad range of critical issues affecting their lives. The first set of talks are listed below. Further events will be added throughout the year.
Visit the TPL website for more information about Toronto Public Library, programming and events.
Upcoming Webinars
From Google to Good Health: How to Find Credible Medical Information Online
- Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. ET
- FREE
ln today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to access health information — but it’s also easier to feel overwhelmed, confused, or misled. So how can we cut through the noise and make informed choices about our health?
From vague claims and dramatic headlines to content lacking trustworthy evidence, misinformation is everywhere. Learning how to navigate online health information is essential to protecting your well-being and feeling confident in your healthcare decisions.
Join Dr. Blanca Bolea and Dr. Dana Ross, psychiatrists at Women’s College Hospital, for an informative webinar that will offer guidance and practical tips on digital health literacy.
What to Expect:
- Navigating the Overload: Why it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or misled by online health content – and how to manage it.
- Spotting Misinformation: How to identify vague claims, unreliable sources, and sensational headlines
- Smart Searching: Practical tips for finding trustworthy websites, articles, and social media content
- Partnering with Your Provider: How to discuss online information with your doctor or other healthcare professionals and ask better questions others, and foster a sense of belonging
Whether you’re googling symptoms, researching treatment options, or simply curious about a health topic, this webinar will give you the tools to sort fact from fiction and feel more in control of your health journey.
Past Webinars
The Science of Loneliness
and Social Connection
Rachel Savage, scientist and researcher at Women’s Age Lab at Women’s College Hospital, hosted a webinar exploring the issue of loneliness – what it is, how it impacts our health, its root causes, and practical steps we can take to address it.
What Was Covered:
- Understanding Loneliness: Exploring what loneliness is and why it’s becoming such a prevalent issue
- Health Impact: How loneliness affects both mental and physical health
- Causes and Solutions: Discussing the factors that contribute to loneliness and strategies for creating deeper social connections
- Practical Advice: Tips on how to combat loneliness, support others, and foster a sense of belonging
Debunking Common Myths About Menopause
Dr. Iliana Lega, an endocrinologist and menopause specialist at Women’s College Hospital, hosted a webinar where she addressed the most common myths surrounding menopause and shared up-to-date information on hormone therapy.
What Was Covered:
- Debunking Myths: Participants learned about menopause and had common misconceptions addressed.
- Hormone Therapy: Dr. Lega explained the safety, risks, and who could benefit from hormone therapy.
- Health Optimization: Practical advice was shared on how to support health during the menopause transition.
Understanding Chronic Pain: Current Treatments, Challenges, and the Road Ahead
Hosted by Dr. Karim Ladha and Rachael Bosma, PhD, this virtual session explored chronic pain management.
What Was Covered:
- Current Treatments: Medications and therapies, and why these treatments do not always work for everyone
- Challenges: Why advancing chronic pain research is urgently needed for addressing barriers and improving treatments and care
- The Road Ahead: What we are working on to transform chronic pain management for the future
Do you speak health?
Introduction to Health and Science Literacy
Hosted by Dr. Rulan Parekh, this virtual session explored key health and science topics, providing valuable tools to navigate health literacy with confidence.
What Was Covered:
- What it means to be health and science literate.
- Why being scientifically informed is crucial for well-being.
- How to spot trustworthy sources of health and science information in today’s digital age.