Celebrating 34 Years of Advancing Women’s Health: ORWH’s Milestones and Future Initiatives
By Dr. Janine A. Clayton
Reflecting on ORWH’s Achievements
On September 10, we proudly celebrated the 34th anniversary of ORWH, marking a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to enhance women’s health through innovative research and strategic partnerships. Since its inception, ORWH has been at the forefront of advancing women’s health research, ensuring that sex and gender are recognized as essential variables that influence health and disease.
As we commemorate this milestone, it is essential to reflect on the programs and initiatives that have defined ORWH’s legacy and continue to drive our mission forward. Among our signature efforts is the Specialized Centers of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences program, which has been instrumental in improving our understanding of how biological sex impacts health outcomes. Through SCORE, researchers are uncovering key insights that promise to transform treatment approaches and improve health outcomes for women.
Another cornerstone of our work is the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program, which nurtures the careers of emerging researchers dedicated to women’s health. Through mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, BIRCWH Scholars are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in fields such as reproductive health, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.
ORWH has also made significant strides in addressing urgent public health challenges, including maternal morbidity and mortality. Through implementing the Maternal health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and various other institute and center partners, we are working to address disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly among underrepresented populations and underserved communities. This initiative reflects our collective dedication to understanding the root causes of these disparities and implementing solutions to enhance outcomes for all women. To learn more about maternal morbidity and mortality and our ongoing efforts, please visit the NIH Maternal Morbidity and Mortality web portal.
Moreover, our U3 Interdisciplinary Research initiative focuses on bringing the needs of underrepresented, underserved, and underreported (U3) populations into the spotlight through data-driven strategies. For instance, the Health of Women of U3 Populations Data Book provides crucial insights into the health outcomes of these communities. By centering the experiences of historically marginalized women through comprehensive data reporting and targeted programming, we amplify their voices and ensure that their health needs are met with holistic, community-centered approaches.
Looking ahead, ORWH is committed to promoting rigorous research that accounts for sex as a biological variable and to prioritizing the unique health needs of all women across their lifespan. By fostering collaborations, embracing emerging research technologies, and generating data that informs policies to improve women’s health outcomes, we are dedicated to creating a future where all women thrive.
Elevating Women’s Voices: NIH Women’s Health Roundtable on Maternal Mental Health
The Biden Administration is leading a transformative approach to women’s health research through the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, which aims to drive innovative research and improve access to quality health care for women nationwide. This commitment was further solidified in March 2024 with the signing of Executive Order 14120, which integrates women’s health into federal research priorities and budgets to ensure that this vital area remains a central focus in advancing health care for women.
In part of a broader response to these directives, ORWH has launched the NIH Women’s Health Roundtable Series, which is designed to foster meaningful discussions on critical issues in women’s health. The September 16 roundtable, titled “Elevating Women’s Voices to Improve Maternal Mental Health,” aimed to amplify women’s perspectives and experiences to inform research and policy on this important topic. Maternal mental health is a pressing concern because women often face unique and severe mental health challenges before, during, and after pregnancy. This roundtable provided a valuable platform for federal employees, researchers, and the public to engage in dialogue, share the latest research findings, and explore strategies for improvement. I encourage you to follow the NIH Women’s Health Roundtable Series for updates and more opportunities to contribute to these vital conversations.
National Library of Medicine’s New Tool for Advancing Women’s Health Research
In partnership with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), ORWH launched the Discover Women’s Health (DiscoverWHR) Resource on September 23. This innovative platform aims to advance women’s health research by simplifying the process of finding and compiling relevant information for patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and the public. DiscoverWHR serves as a centralized hub for NIH’s women’s health resources, offering easy access to funding opportunities, literature, and ongoing research projects that address health issues uniquely, disproportionately, or differently affecting women throughout their lifespan.
To further enhance DiscoverWHR, we are expanding its features to include search capabilities for grants, intramural studies, and relevant datasets. This ongoing development ensures that the portal remains an essential resource for accessing the latest advancements in women’s health research. I encourage you to explore DiscoverWHR and take advantage of the wealth of information it offers.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month
During Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, we were excited to engage in meaningful discussions by participating in a webinar titled “Advancing PCOS Research and Care: Innovations in Cardiometabolic Health and AI-Driven Diagnostics.” Sponsored by The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, this event underscored the need for greater awareness about PCOS, enhanced research into the disease, and increased support for patients with PCOS, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. Sarah Temkin, M.D., FACS, Associate Director for Clinical Research at ORWH, presented at the meeting with a talk titled “PCOS as a Priority Area in Women’s Health,” which emphasized ORWH’s commitment to advancing research that improves understanding and care for women affected by PCOS.
PCOS is a significant yet often under-recognized public health issue. Affecting up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, PCOS can lead to a range of serious health complications, including infertility, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Despite its prevalence, an estimated 50% to 75% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed, and they frequently endure years of uncertainty before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The webinar highlighted several innovative approaches, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which hold promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment strategies. These technologies can help identify patterns in large datasets that are not apparent through traditional methods, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and more effective interventions.
PCOS Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges that lie ahead. It is also an opportunity to advocate for more research, better diagnostic tools, and more comprehensive care strategies. Together, we can strive for a future where PCOS is fully understood and effectively managed.
Galvanizing Health Equity Through Novel and Diverse Educational Resources (GENDER) R25: Annual Principal Investigator Meeting
I am excited to share the latest updates from our inaugural Galvanizing Health Equity through Novel and Diverse Educational Resources (GENDER) R25 meeting. On September 20, ORWH hosted a principal investigator meeting for this groundbreaking initiative. The event was a milestone, bringing together key individuals to discuss ongoing projects and future directions. The GENDER R25 program, which is a collaborative effort with the Office of AIDS Research, NLM, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office, aims to enhance the training of a diverse workforce. By supporting the development of educational resources focused on sex and gender, the program addresses crucial biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs.
During the meeting, funded investigators presented their innovative projects and outlined their next steps. One notable initiative was Massachusetts General Hospital’s “EMPOWHer,” a virtual program aimed at improving midlife and menopause care for women with HIV, including transgender women. We are proud of the strides made through the GENDER R25 program, and we eagerly anticipate the continued impact of these projects on health equity.
Looking Ahead: New Initiatives and Opportunities
As we continue to make strides in advancing women’s health research, I am thrilled to share several new developments and opportunities on the horizon. First, I am pleased to announce the release of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) Overview of Research Gaps for Selected Conditions in Women’s Health Research at the NIH: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. This publication captures the discussions and key presentations from the third public meeting of NASEM’s ad hoc committee, which is focused on identifying and addressing persistent gaps in women’s health research across NIH. The publication highlights crucial topics that are aligned with ORWH’s mission, such as the science of sex differences, reproductive and gynecologic health, mental and behavioral health, cancer, and nonmalignant gynecologic conditions.
I also invite you to join a virtual webinar on October 30, 2024, to discuss “Small Business Opportunities for Innovative Women’s Health Research.” Aligned with Executive Order 14120, this event will highlight the crucial role of private sector innovation in accelerating women’s health research. NIH is committed to increasing its investments by 50% to support innovators and early-stage small businesses focused on women’s health research and development. During the webinar, staff from the NIH Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development Office, along with representatives from various NIH small business programs, will provide overviews of their initiatives and discuss the intersection of innovation and women’s health. This event is a valuable opportunity to align the women’s health research community and its priorities with small business prospects.
I look forward to your continued engagement and collaboration as we advance ORWH’s mission to promote innovative research, address critical gaps, and improve health outcomes for women. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in our initiatives!