The Biden administration is rolling out an executive order to strengthen women\u2019s health research standards across federal agencies and prioritize its funding in an effort to close the gap on long-standing disparities.<\/p>\n
As part of the order, the National Science Foundation and Department of Health and Human Services are instructed to research ways to use artificial intelligence toward advancing women\u2019s health research. It also directs the HHS to expand data collection on women\u2019s midlife health and launch an agenda that can guide investments toward menopause-related research. <\/p>\n
Women\u2019s health research has faced disparities for decades, from funding to trials. Women are historically underrepresented in clinical and research trials. A 2021 study in the Journal of Women\u2019s Health concluded that the National Institutes of Health\u2019s funding pattern favors males in nearly three-quarters of the cases where a disease primarily afflicts one gender.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we\u2019ve made tremendous progress in the last few decades, from revolutionary discoveries in certain disorders affecting women, to increasing the number of women enrolled in clinical trials, we still know too little about how to effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide array of health conditions,\u201d said Carolyn Mazure, chair of the White House Initiative on Women\u2019s Health Research. <\/p>\n
The White House has proposed $12 billion to create a women\u2019s health research fund at the NIH and establish a national network of women\u2019s research centers. President Joe Biden previously referred to the funding as part of his self-proclaimed \u201cunity agenda,\u201d which is intended to gather support from both sides of the aisle. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s uncertain whether the funding, part of the president\u2019s broader $7.3 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, will be approved by Congress. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs we work with Congress to secure these investments, we\u2019re taking action where we can to advance women\u2019s health research,\u201d Jennifer Klein, director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said in a briefing on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Menopause Research<\/p>\n
The executive order will also instruct the Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department to study and improve the treatment of menopause for women in the military and veterans. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the NIH will invest $200 million toward interdisciplinary research, such as the impact of menopause on heart, bone and brain health beginning in fiscal 2025. <\/p>\n
The executive order is intended to address all diseases that affect women, and doesn\u2019t specifically target in-vitro fertilization or other forms of reproductive health, according to a senior administration official. <\/p>\n
Women\u2019s reproductive health has been a focal point in campaigns and on ballots since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Voters in Republican-leaning Ohio and swing-state Michigan enshrined abortion access in their state constitutions during recent elections.<\/p>\n
Democrats have made reproductive rights a central issue in their campaigns ahead of the November elections. Vice President Kamala Harris visited a women\u2019s health clinic where abortions are performed, as well as other services, in Minneapolis last week. The trip signaled the administration\u2019s focus on women\u2019s reproductive rights as Harris embarks on a \u201cFight for Reproductive Freedoms\u201d tour.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has expressed his support of a 16-week abortion ban in private conversations to allies.<\/p>\n
Trump said Sunday he would make a public decision \u201cpretty soon\u201d on what his campaign\u2019s stance on abortion would be. His stance would include the \u201cthree exceptions,\u201d he said, likely referring to allowing abortion in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the patient.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to go with your heart,\u201d Trump said in an interview on Fox News. \u201cBut beyond that, you also have to get elected.\u201d <\/p>\n
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