Knox Almanac and Key to Health was published at a time in Canada when strict gender roles for men and women were still the norm. The title page of the cookbook depicts several prominent stereotypes from the time as it highlights a younger White woman in a nurse's uniform. Though there were some licensed female physicians in the 1940s in Canada, it was still expected that if women showed interest in the medical sciences that they would choose the vocation of nurse. Generally, Canadian society saw women as the caretakers of the home and family while men earned a wage and acted as the breadwinner. Advertisements from this time often reinforced these gender norms, showing women performing various duties around the house and with the children, including catering to and keeping the husband content. By including an image of a happy female nurse on the cover of the book, the Knox Company was clearly trying to appeal to female readers as it was women's responsibility to look after the health and wellness of their families. Though they may not have been trained nurses, women were still expected to have a considerable amount of knowledge about illness, disease, and keeping their families healthy. 

Before the point when technology had advanced enough that widespread sharing of information occurred via computers and the digital world, Canadians received information through printed materials or via word of mouth. This is evident within Knox Almanac and Key to Health where testimonials are provided from different people who claimed to have been suffering from various medical issues and were restored to full health by using various products. The personal aspect of the stories was meant to lend a sense of authenticity because they seemed to be speaking directly to the reader. There are illustrations attached in some cases, all of which show White men and women. It is possible that this was a conscious choice because people of colour were considered "different" at the time, and due to their minority status, their opinions may not have been viewed as important or trustworthy. As such, it seems that the target audience here was younger to middle-aged White women who could connect with those mentioned throughout the book. The Knox Almanac and Key to Health was likely well-received during the period when it was published because it claimed to offer helpful and important tips related to several different aspects of wellness. Along with suggestions about limiting the consumption of certain foods and beverages, the book claims that various drugs and supplements were necessary in order to maintain health. Overall, the book clearly wishes to establish itself as a key resource that every housewife in 1940 should have on her shelf.