NIH Leaders Attend Signing of Executive Order on Women’s Health
NIH leaders attended the historic signing of an Executive Order (EO) to advance women’s health research and innovation. The directive, signed by President Joe Biden on Mar. 18, integrates and prioritizes women’s health across the federal research portfolio.
“For far too long, scientific and biomedical research excluded women and undervalued the study of women’s health,” said Biden at the White House signing. “The resulting research gaps mean that we know far too little about women’s health across women’s lifespans, and those gaps are even more prominent for women of color, older women and women with disabilities…It is time to pioneer the next generation of discoveries in women’s health.”
The EO’s directives will enable research that closes gaps to improve the health of all women. This guidance will bolster NIH-wide efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat health conditions unique to women, paving the way for better, more personalized care.
“I was honored to be a part of this historic event,” said Dr. Kimryn Rathmell, director of the National Cancer Institute, in a social media post. “Supporting research on women’s health isn’t just about equality, it’s about understanding unique health challenges, advancing treatments and empowering women to live healthier, fuller lives.”
Rathmell was one of several NIH institute directors and leaders in the Office of the Director to join NIH Director Dr. Monica Bertagnolli at the signing that was also attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.
The full text of the EO can be found at https://bit.ly/3xttFLh.
