SWHR Leads Broad-Based Coalition Urging Congress to Review the Need for More Women and Minorities in Medical Research
President & CEO Phyllis Greenberger: “Absolutely Vital that We Study these Health Disparities so that Individuals Gets the Care They Need”
Washington, D.C. – The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) leading a broad-based coalition of health associations, medical schools and women’s advocates call on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold a hearing to examine the progress made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on including more women and minorities in medical research. In addition, SWHR and the coalition urge greater analysis by these agencies into the ways that diseases and treatments affect women and men differently. For a list of coalition members, visit SWHR.org.
“The Society for Women’s Health Research is pleased to see so many national organizations answer our call to arms. Together we have the same goal: making sure that women and minorities get the representation they deserve in medical research. It is absolutely vital that we study these health disparities so that individuals get the care they need,” said SWHR President and CEO Phyllis Greenberger.
Greenberger added, “We’re delighted with the sudden spotlight on this issue and a growing recognition of sex and gender differences nationwide. It’s encouraging to see more and more people recognize that these differences matter. Congress must take action to ensure that our federal health agencies also give women and minorities the proper attention in clinical trials and health studies. SWHR will continue to keep the pressure on our elected officials to do what’s needed for women’s health.”
Read the full text of SWHR’s joint letter to Rep. Fred Upton, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Joe Pitts, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, at SWHR.org.
SWHR continues to invite health care stakeholders to sign onto the joint letter for later resubmission to the committee. Interested organizations can review the letter at SWHR.org. To sign on, contact Leslie Ritter, director of government affairs, at leslie@swhr.org.
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The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), the national thought leader in the study of sex differences in disease, is dedicated to transforming women’s health through science, advocacy and education. SWHR advocates for increased public and private funding for women’s health; greater inclusion of women and minorities in medical studies; and analysis of the biological differences between men and women in disease and health issues. For more information, visit SWHR.org.
