Episode 29 Overview, Guest Bio & Additional Resources
Jenna Reynolds on Closing the Gaps in Asthma Care Across Canada
In this episode of Beyond the Wheeze, I’m joined by Jenna Reynolds, Vice President of Mission, Advocacy, and Research at Asthma Canada, to explore what the future of asthma care in Canada could look like — and what needs to change to get there. Jenna shares how her work bridges patient experience, research, and policy, and why improving diagnosis, education, and access to treatment remains critical for millions of Canadians living with asthma.
We discuss the systemic gaps that still exist across the country, from inconsistent testing and follow-up care to medication affordability and regional access challenges. Jenna explains how Asthma Canada is working to shift asthma care from reactive to preventative through education initiatives, policy advocacy, and community support, while also addressing emerging risks like climate-driven air quality events.
This conversation offers insight for patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and advocates alike — highlighting how stronger coordination, better awareness, and patient-centred design can move Canada toward more equitable and effective asthma care.
Closing the Gaps in Asthma Care Through Advocacy and System Change
Jenna Reynolds is Vice President of Mission, Advocacy, and Research at Asthma Canada, where she works at the intersection of patient experience, research, and national policy. Through her leadership, she helps translate the real-world challenges Canadians face with asthma into actionable advocacy priorities, focusing on improving diagnosis, education, and equitable access to treatment. Her work highlights that asthma outcomes are not just shaped in clinics, but by systems, resources, and awareness across communities.
Building a Future Where Asthma Care Is Proactive, Not Reactive
Jenna’s work centers on shifting asthma care from crisis-driven responses to coordinated, preventative management. She emphasizes the importance of proper testing, ongoing education, medication access, and community-based care in reducing emergency visits and improving quality of life. By advancing policy change, supporting patient education initiatives, and amplifying the lived experience of Canadians with asthma, Jenna and Asthma Canada are helping move the country toward a more equitable and effective respiratory care system.