In this Section
About ORWH
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) is part of the Office of the Director of NIH. ORWH works in partnership with the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers to ensure that women’s health research is part of the scientific framework at the NIH—and throughout the scientific community.
The ORWH promotes, stimulates, and supports efforts to improve women's health through biomedical and behavioral research including study of the role of sex and gender in health and disease. "Sex" is the biological characteristic of being female or male; "gender" is socially defined expectations and roles rooted in biology and shaped by environment and experience.
Janine Austin Clayton, M.D., a clinician and researcher, was appointed Acting Director in August 2011.
NIH Strategic Plan for Women's Health and Sex Differences Research
Moving Into the Future with New Dimensions and Strategies for Women’s Health Research: A Vision for 2020 for Women’s Health Research is the NIH strategic plan for women’s health and sex differences research for the decade ahead. It is the framework for research within NIH and throughout the scientific community.
Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research
The ORWH works in partnership with the NIH Institutes and Centers to ensure women and minorities are included in NIH-funded clinical research.
Advisory Committee on Women’s Health Research
The Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health (ACRWH) is comprised of health practitioners, advocates, research scientists, educators, and other professionals representing different regions of the country provides leadership to ORWH by advising the ORWH Director on appropriate research activities on women’s health.
Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health
The Coordinating Committee on Research on Women’s Health (CCRWH) members are representatives from the NIH Institutes and Centers who provide guidance, collaboration, and support to the ORWH.
ORWH staff include a diverse range of professional and scientific disciplines. Each staff member supports the ORWH’s mission to improve women’s health through research on women’s health and sex differences.
