On July 15, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), and the Women First Research Coalition (WFRC) today unveiled the National Strategy to Close the Women’s Health Gap, a bold framework calling on Congress to invest $20 billion over 10 years to transform women’s health research, care, and outcomes.
The Endocrine Society joined with more than 20 professional medical, patient advocacy, and research organizations to endorse this strategy.
“Because hormones influence nearly every aspect of women’s health, advancing research in this area has the potential to improve millions of lives,” says Endocrine Society President Nanette Santoro, MD. “We are encouraged by this strategy’s emphasis on research, data and clinical care and look forward to supporting efforts that accelerate progress for women nationwide.”
Congress took an important step in 1993 by requiring the inclusion of women in NIH-funded clinical research through the NIH Revitalization Act. Although that landmark law transformed medical research, significant gaps remain in women’s health research, clinical care, and implementation. Women make up more than half of the U.S. population, yet too often their health needs are ignored or minimized in research and clinical practice. The National Strategy calls for a coordinated national effort to ensure that women benefit from scientific discovery, medical innovation, and evidence-based care throughout every stage of life.
“The women’s health gap has persisted for far too long,” says SWHR President and Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE. “This strategy offers Congress a roadmap to improve health outcomes, drive innovation, and build a healthier future for women, families, and communities.”
“Because hormones influence nearly every aspect of women’s health, advancing research in this area has the potential to improve millions of lives. We are encouraged by this strategy’s emphasis on research, data and clinical care and look forward to supporting efforts that accelerate progress for women nationwide.” – Endocrine Society President Nanette Santoro, MD
The strategy recommends investments across five key priorities:
- Research and innovation to expand federal investment in women’s health research and establish a national network of Women’s Health Centers of Excellence
- Regulatory coordination and modernization to better integrate women’s health across federal agencies and accelerate the translation of research into new therapies and cures
- Data and evidence infrastructure to strengthen women’s health data collection, sharing, and analysis
- Bolstering the clinical and research workforce to expand training, mentorship, and loan repayment programs that grow the women’s health workforce
- Public awareness and education to improve health literacy, promote preventive care, and increase participation in women’s health research
“Closing the women’s health gap requires not only funding research, but also investment in the people who conduct that research and those who translate research findings and discoveries into better patient care,” said ACOG Chief Executive Officer Sandra E. Brooks, MD, MBA, FACOG. “Strengthening the women’s health research and clinical workforce is critical to accelerating the innovation needed to improve health outcomes for women.”
ACOG, SWHR, and WFRC are urging Congress to make a sustained, coordinated investment in women’s health through the National Strategy. By strengthening research, modernizing policy, investing in the workforce, and improving access to evidence-based care, Congress can help ensure that women receive the high-quality care they deserve throughout every stage of life.
This framework has been endorsed by Alliance for Aging Research, Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation, American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, American Heart Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Urogynecologic Society, Arthritis Foundation, Autoimmune Association, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement at Cleveland Clinic, COPD Foundation, Council of Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endocrine Society, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, Fibroid Foundation, Foundation for Women’s Health, HealthyWomen, Let’s Talk Menopause, Lupus Foundation of America, March of Dimes, National Health Council, National Menopause Foundation, National MS Society, National Psoriasis Foundation, Prevent Blindness, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Society for Reproductive Investigation, Society of Family Planning, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, Menopause Society, White Dress Project, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, Women’s Health Advocates, and WomenHeart.
To learn more, read the full National Strategy.
