NEW YORK, NY — Today, in recognition of Women’s Health Week, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, led a letter signed by 27 organizations urging Congress to protect funding for research that helps identify and address the unique health challenges faced by women. A full list of the organizations can be found below.
“Historically, women’s health has been under-researched, which has led to devastating gaps in women’s health care,” said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. “It is critical that Congress prioritize the kind of innovative research that has improved the health of women across the country. Hadassah and its partners urge Congress to stand with women and continue funding lifesaving women’s health research.”
Despite representing 51 percent of the US population, women only make up 40 percent of the participants in clinical trials for cancer, cardiovascular disease and psychiatric conditions, three health challenges that affect women the most. Researchers have noted that these discrepancies may be contributing to disparities in women’s healthcare. A recent study from McKinsey found that investing in women’s healthcare and health research has the potential to boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040.
In response to proposals to terminate funding for research projects dedicated to understanding and addressing the unique health challenges faced by women, the organizations speak out in the letter about the need to maintain funding for research that encompasses studies on sex and gender differences, including the ways in which conditions manifest uniquely in women and how women’s responses to treatments often differ from men’s.
The letter was signed by Hadassah, Alliance for Aging Research, American Society of Reproductive Medicine, Association of Jewish Psychologists, Caregiver Action Network, Cognito Therapeutics, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, HealthyWomen, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, ICAN (International Cancer Advocacy Network), Infusion Access Foundation, Jewish Women International, LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease), Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center, March of Dimes, National Association of Activity Professionals, National Council of Jewish Women, Neurotech Network, Organic Acidemia Association, Patients Rising, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, SCAD Alliance (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection), Second Wind Dreams, Inc., Tigerlily Foundation, The Balm in Gilead, Inc., The Black Women's Health Imperative and Women's Health Access Matters (WHAM).