The most recent edition of  Women’s Health In Focus at NIH  explores sex and gender differences and infectious diseases. Infectious diseases pose unique risks to women due to profound sex-based differences in immunity compared to men. The feature story highlights several critical areas of NIH-supported research: the vaginal microbiome and its role in protecting women from sexually transmitted infections; the use of three-dimensional brain organoids to study neurological complications of infectious diseases; the efforts to combat the resurgence of syphilis in the United States and abroad; and the progress on preventing and treating HIV infections in U.S. populations disproportionately at risk for HIV.

The “Scientist Spotlight” article features an interview with Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., M.P.H., who joined NIH as the sixth director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2023. In the interview, Dr. Marrazzo shares her perspective on advancing the progress of women in biomedical careers and the research areas she considers critical for improving the health of women.

The “Institutional Spotlight” article features the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2021, NIH awarded its Enhancing Faculty Gender Diversity in Biomedical and Behavioral Science prize to the cancer center for its Office of Women Faculty Programs (WFP). Since its inception, WFP has implemented strategic initiatives aimed at increasing the representation and advancement of women in academic and leadership roles.

Read the latest issue of  In Focus 7.3  online.