SWHR’s Call to Action to Close Out Women’s Health Month
By Kathryn G. Schubert, President and CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research
In November 2023, President Biden announced the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. In February 2024, ARPA-H announced its $100 million SPRINT for women’s health. In his March 2024 State of the Union address, the President called on Congress to invest $12 billion in women’s health research—and just a few weeks after that, he signed an Executive Order outlining the many ways in which the Administration is committing to elevating and integrating women’s health research across federal agencies. The women’s health community could not have been more excited to see such an elevation of this topic.
Up until 1993 women were not required to be included in clinical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and it wasn’t until 2016 that sex differences had to be considered in basic research at NIH. Despite the obvious differences between men and women, historically there was not much attention to the ‘how,’ ‘why,’ or ‘what’ in our nation’s approach to accounting for these differences in scientific research. For years, research was only conducted in men of a certain size, age, and race, and then results were extrapolated out to female or other populations—the approach assuming there was no real difference between the men being studied and these other populations, so it was easiest and safest to conduct research in this manner.
Because of these past missteps, we’re left with a gender health gap. Investment in research for women’s health has been underfunded and deprioritized for decades. Through the work of the Society and many other important advocates, great strides were made to ensure not only greater participation in clinical research for women, but also that more diverse women could enter the research and clinical workforce and that gaps in research and knowledge—and aligned policy solutions—could be adopted to address the overarching gap.
Too often, we think of this gap only applying to women of child-bearing age, or only to reproductive health, but it’s so much more.
At SWHR, we categorize women’s health as falling into three “buckets”:
Health conditions that specifically impact women – like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pregnancy, and menopause
Health conditions that differently impact women – like cardiovascular disease, obesity, and narcolepsy
Health conditions that disproportionately impact women – like Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune conditions and diseases, and bone health
Health disparities among women are significant and multifaceted. Black women face a threefold higher risk of pregnancy-related deaths compared to white women, and 80% of Black women develop uterine fibroids, a rate higher than the average. Conversely, osteoporosis is more prevalent among white women. Across all backgrounds, women of color often receive less attention and are more frequently dismissed by healthcare providers.
Research and funding in women’s health issues, such as endometriosis and autoimmune diseases, are disproportionately low given their prevalence. Endometriosis, affecting as many women as diabetes, remains poorly understood and underfunded, with only $29 million allocated by the NIH in 2023. Autoimmune diseases predominantly affect women, yet the Office of Autoimmune Disease Research requires more support to tackle these challenges effectively.
According to SWHR’s Women’s Health Dashboard, the leading causes of death for women vary by age group, with accidents, suicide, and breast cancer being the most common for those aged 15-49. For ages 40-64, heart disease and cancers take precedence, while those over 65 are most affected by heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and COPD. These statistics challenge common perceptions of women’s health risks.
Since the announcement of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, we’ve been challenging organizations to view themselves as champions for women’s health research—whether they think of themselves that way or not. Why?
Women are making the decisions. Women represent about 70% of caregivers in the country, and often serve as “chief medical officers” for their families—they make provider and treatment decisions and coordinate care for everyone in their orbit—children, parents, partners, etc.
Not investing in women’s health is harming us all. Looking at how diseases impact sexes differently ultimately leads to a much more personalized approach to medicine. Further, investments in women’s health could potentially give the global economy a $1 trillion boost.
Women of diverse background bring unique and needed perspectives. Studies have shown that female physicians spend more time with patients, that women in leadership positions in health care foster a more inclusive environment, and that more female researchers could lead to more and diverse perspectives on women’s health solutions across the lifespan.
Regardless of your background or area of focus, we can all come together to support innovative and important breakthroughs to advance women’s health and well-being – ultimately improving outcomes for ALL.
How can YOU do this?
Join us in supporting the White House Initiative by writing to the White House, detailing how this research aligns with your goals.
Add women’s health to your own agenda. Prioritize women’s health in your work by advocating for research funding and creating educational modules.
Spread the word! Disseminate information by organizing discussions for your audience on women’s health issues.
Women’s health and research into the health of women is not a niche or specialized field. Supporting women’s health research is supporting ALL health.
SWHR urges the public health and scientific sectors to consistently prioritize women’s health, beyond just Women’s Health Month, to bridge the gender health divide. Now is the time to champion women’s health research.