by Stacy M. Brown
On Monday, March 18, President Joe Biden signed “Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation,” a groundbreaking executive order that administration officials declared marks a significant milestone in prioritizing women’s health on the national agenda. “It is time to pioneer the next generation of discoveries in women’s health,” Biden declared as he announced a firm commitment to addressing historical disparities and driving progress in scientific research.
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The White House exclaimed that the executive order underscored the urgent need to bridge existing gaps in biomedical research that have left women underrepresented and their health needs insufficiently understood. “For far too long, scientific and biomedical research excluded women and undervalued the study of women’s health,” Biden commented as he highlighted a critical issue that has persisted for decades.
Central to the order is establishing the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, which the president described as a pivotal step towards transforming research approaches. “This initiative seeks to fundamentally change how we approach and fund women’s health research in the United States,” Biden said.
Key provisions outlined in the executive order include:
– Integration of Women’s Health Research in Federal Programs: Federal agencies are directed to develop or strengthen research and data standards to enhance the study of women’s health across all federally funded research. This includes improving accountability for grant recipients and enhancing the recruitment and retention of women in clinical trials.
– Prioritization of Federal Investments: Agencies are tasked with identifying and prioritizing grantmaking and other awards to advance women’s health research. The emphasis is placed on promoting collaborative, interdisciplinary research and addressing health disparities affecting women.
– Galvanizing Research on Women’s Midlife Health: Efforts are directed towards addressing research gaps related to women’s midlife and later years, including menopause. This involves launching a comprehensive assessment of menopause-related research and evaluating interventions to improve women’s experiences during this stage of life.
“Investing in innovation in women’s health is an investment in the future of American families and the economy,” Biden remarked.
