In a recent
Presidential Memorandum, President Joe Biden established the new White House Initiative on Women's Health Research, aiming to mobilize the Federal government, private sector, and philanthropic organizations to enhance women's health. The goal of the new initiative is to address disparities in research and care. Despite comprising more than half of the U.S. population, research on women's health, including mental health, is notably underfunded, creating substantial gaps in knowledge that have serious implications for the overall well-being of women across the country.
The key directives of the initiative are as follows:
- Establishment of Initiative Members: The initiative comprises various federal agencies and offices, tasked with delivering concrete recommendations to advance women's health research. Members include agencies like Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, as well as White House offices.
- Recommendations within 45 Days: Initiative members are required to provide actionable recommendations within 45 days to improve the conduct of women's health research. The focus is on maximizing the administration's investments in women's health research, addressing disparities, and promoting equity.
- Targeted, High-Impact Approach: To yield swift results, the initiative will identify priority areas, such as heart attacks in women and menopause, where additional investments could make a transformative impact on research outcomes.
- Engagement with Various Sectors: The initiative aims to foster collaboration with the scientific, private sector, and philanthropic communities. It seeks to explore new public-private partnerships, engaging leaders in these sectors to drive innovation and advance research on women's health.
For more, visit the White House website.