Newsroom

Families often have chief medical officers – and they’re almost always women

American Heart Association, April 17, 2024

SWHR Chief Advocacy Officer Lindsey Miltenberger spoke with AHA about how women’s role as the main health care decision-maker for their families impacts their own health outcomes.

It’s a Design Problem: Women and Clinical Trials

BioSpace Podcast, April 11, 2024

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert joined other leaders in women’s health research and femtech to discuss how new funding in the space could be used to help improve clinical trial inclusion for women.

Can $12 Billion Jumpstart Women’s Health?

BioSpace, April 10, 2024

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke with BioSpace about the future of women’s health research following the announcement of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research.

New federal report calls out clinical trials for excluding pregnant women

The Fuller Project, April 10, 2024

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene Aninye provided comments on a new NASEM report that pushes back on the notion that pregnant individuals should be excluded from research.

President Biden Wants To Rectify the State of Women’s Health Research—but What Will It Take To Catch Up?

Well+Good, April 7, 2024

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert shared how the new White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research will help accelerate women’s health research as well as what women can do to advocate for themselves in the health care system.

Why Heart Disease Research Still Favors Men

TIME, April 5, 2024

Dr. Martha Gulati’s presentation during the SWHR “Getting at the Heart of Needs in Women’s Heart Health” webinar is featured in this article. Dr. Gulati is a member of SWHR’s Heart Health Working Group.  New federal report calls out clinical trials for excluding pregnant women
The Fuller Project, April 10, 2024
SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene Aninye provided comments on a new NASEM report that pushes back on the notion that pregnant individuals should be excluded from research.

Mira Introduces First Nationwide Sex Hormones Awareness Week to Close the Knowledge Gap About Female Hormones

PR Newswire, February 19, 2024

SWHR is a partner organization for Mira’s first nationwide Sex Hormones Awareness Week.

Helping women with heart disease

CNN, February 13, 2024

SWHR is listed as an organization supporting women’s heart health  in this article, spotlighting ways women are impacted by heart disease and how we can support them.

Prime Time: Making Progress in Menopause Awareness, Care & Policy

The Hill, February 9, 2024

The Hill hosted a breakfast roundtable discussion about how to improve menopause awareness, care, and policies. SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert and SWHR Chief Advocacy Officer Lindsey Miltenberger attended this event and shared insights based on the Society’s work in this space.

Managing and treating uterine fibroids| Line One: Your Health Connection

Alaska Public Radio (PBS | NPR), February 7, 2024

SWHR‘s uterine fibroids resources are featured in this article about treatment and care options for fibroids patients.

Nearly 2 in 5 Women Consider Quitting Job Due to Menopause

The Messenger, January 19, 2024

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert discussed the Employee Perspectives and Challenges Concerning the Transition of Menopause (EMPACT Menopause) Study and insights about menopause in the workplace. SWHR Working Group Member Jennifer Fairweather is also featured in the article.

What to Know About Complementary Treatments for Lupus

TIME, January 17, 2024

SWHR‘s Living with Lupus Toolkit is featured at the close of this article about the variety of lupus treatments available for individuals.

Closing the Gap: Addressing Unmet Needs and Research Gaps with the Society for Women’s Health Research – Ep. 222

FemTech Focus Podcast, November 22, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert interviewed for the FemTech Focus Podcast to talk all about promoting research on biological sex differences in disease and improving women’s health through science, policy, and education.

Sex Matters: Medical Research Overlooks Women

The Fuller Project, November 20, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert and Chief Science Officer Irene Aninye, alongside several other leading experts in women’s health, discussed what is still needed to close the health research gap.

Why Women’s Health is Different

MassBio, November 6, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert joined the MassBio symposium “Why Women’s Health is Different” to speak about the unique challenges in women’s health. MassBio CEO and President Kendalle Burlin O’Connell wrote up this summary blog.

Empowering Women at Work: Navigating Menopause with SWHR’s CEO

Be Health Connected Podcast, October 27, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert sat down to discuss the significance of menopause, its impact in the workplace, and what employers can do to create more supportive workplace environments for midlife and menopausal women.

Research and treatment still inadequate for endometriosis

Republican American, September 8, 2023

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye provided comments on the significance of advancing research and treatment funding for endometriosis, and the positive impacts this will have on the lives of those living with the disease.

The Gender Research Gap

FemTech World Podcast, August 23, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert discussed gender inequalities between men and women that exist in medical research, and their consequences.

Oppenheimer revealed the human and political sides of science

Axios, July 21, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert provided comments about how older cultural norms impacted women’s health research and helped maintain a sex and gender research gap, that we still see today.

The Most Common Menopause Symptoms You Should Know

Health Day, June 15, 2023

SWHR‘s Menopause Preparedness Toolkit is featured at the close of this article about common menopause symptoms.

‘Just do kegels’ is tired. What’s next for this hot women’s health market?

Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2023

SWHR provided commentary about the status of women’s health funding levels for this article about pelvic health care, research, and innovations.

Honoring Mothers: How the Society for Women’s Health Research Supports Women Caregivers

Modern Medicaid Alliance, May 25, 2023

The Modern Medicaid Alliance highlighted SWHR‘s work in maternal health including the health toll that caregiving can take on women across the lifespan.

How menopause reshapes the brain

Nature, May 3, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke with authors about the status, stigma, and future of menopause research and care.

5 Myths About Pregnancy We All Need to Stop Believing

Prevention, April 16, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert provided expert response to myths around epidural and c-section deliveries in this story.

A Lifetime of Healthy Bones

VoiceAmerica, April 12, 2023

SWHR Working Group Member Deborah M. Kado, MD, MS spoke on the Able Active Moms radio show about lifelong bone health.

Menopause, from A to Z

Oprah Daily, April 5 2023

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye gives tips for navigating the menopause transition and having productive conversations with care providers about your symptoms, treatment options, and lifelong wellness.

Closing the Gap

American Medical Technologists, March 22, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke about the history of, dangers within, and opportunities to close the gender gap in health care research and medicine.

Here’s How the Medical System Overlooks Women’s Health

TheSkimm, March 8, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert shares how historic gaps in the medical and research ecosystems have hindered women’s health today, and what women can do to advocate for themselves.

Preeclampsia Raises Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

Giddy, March 7, 2023

SWHR Board Member Judette Louis, MD explains what to look for to understand your risk of heart problems or stroke after experiencing preeclampsia.

‘We’re not a world of men – it’s as simple as that’: how gender diversity in clinical trials improves health outcomes for women

GSK: Behind The Science Magazine, March 6, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert discusses the state of women’s health research and inclusion of women in clinical trials in this piece.

How Doctors Can Care for Women Better

WebMD, February 27, 2023

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye is featured in this article discussing the importance of including women in clinical trials and advancing women’s health research.

Promoting the Inclusion of Women in Clinical Trials

Elevance Health, February 20, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert discusses the history of women’s health research and including women in clinical trials, explaining SWHR’s role in improving outcomes for women across the lifespan and throughout medicine and science.

These Founders Were Sick of Being Told They Weren’t Sick—And Now Their Work Is Driving Real Progress in Women’s Health

Well + Good, February 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert is included in this article about leader within the women’s health space who have set out to create new tech and services to improve the quality of care women receive.

Medical gaslighting is real – and here’s how to fight it

WmnHealth.org, January 24, 2023

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke about the history of women’s health research and stigma around women’s health – as well as ways women can have more productive provider conversations.

How To Talk to Your Doctor About Lupus: 4 Tips From an Expert

MyLupusTeam, January 24, 2023

SWHR’s Lupus Toolkit is featured in this article, as is an interview with SWHR Lupus Working Group member Irene Blanco, MD.

The only cancer that won’t get covered for women of 9/11

The Fuller Project, January 10, 2023

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye spoke about the research, fundings, and care gap for uterine cancer, and how this impacts women’s health outcomes over their lifespanc.

Menopause Matters Magazine: Being Prepared and Empowered

Menopause Matters Magazine, Winter 2022

SWHR’s Menopause Preparedness Toolkit is featured in the winter issues of the Menopause Matters Magazine, as a resource for women facing the menopause transition.

Why We Should Focus on Women’s Health Research

Beyond the Paper Gown podcast, December 9, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert joined this women’s health podcast to talk about why inclusion in clinical trials is important and how biological sex, even at the cellular level gives clues to disease, which can impact diagnosis and treatment.

Health systems make a play for women

North Carolina Health News, November 14, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke about the growing interest in women’s health, across health systems, funding, and research spaces. The article is also syndicated by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Women’s health got worse in 2021, global survey finds

CNN, September 21, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke to a reporter about what new survey findings mean for the status of women’s health across the world and in the United States.

The Gospel of Wellness

Rina Raphael, September 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert and the work of SWHR is included in this book about the rise of the wellness industry and its effects on women’s health.

A Bipartisan Bill Would Boost NIH’s Research on Menopause

Government Executive, September 7, 2022

SWHR gave a comment to Government Executive about a new bipartisan that would improve federal medical research related to menopause and mid-life women’s health.

As Title IX’s first generation ages, research needed to identify effects of playing sports

USA Today Sports, August 20, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert provided comment about the progress and gaps in women’s health research for a USA Today Sports Opinion article women’s inclusion in sports access and research.

“God, No, Not Another Case.” COVID-Related Stillbirths Didn’t Have to Happen.

ProPublica, August 4, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke with ProPublica reporter Duaa Eldeib about the importance of including women in clinical trial research in order to improve health outcomes, particularly in the the case of the COVID-19 pandemic and related vaccine trials.

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert speaks with CGTN | July 2022

CGTN, July 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke with CGTN about the history of women’s health, its progress and barriers, and how this affects health outcomes for women particularly in the field of cardiovascular health and heart disease.

Evvy Launches First Inaugural Equal Research Day

Yahoo News, June 10, 2022

The Society for Women’s Health Research is the nonprofit partner for the inaugural Equal Research Day on June 10, 2022, hosted by Evvy to drive awareness of including women in health research. Read more about Equal Research Day in Forbes and CEO World Magazine.

Struggle to include women in clinical trials continues despite gains

The Science Advisory Board, June 12, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke with The Science Advisory Board about women’s health research while at the BIO 2022 conference.

Katie Schubert: Making women’s health mainstream through research

Organon Here for Her Health Podcast, June 9, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke about her career in women’s health and policy, her role at SWHR, and the work of making women’s health mainstream during this podcast interview.

The Gender Pain Gap: Why Women’s Pain Isn’t Taken as Seriously

Good Housekeeping, May 20, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert spoke about women’s pain and gave tips for ensuring women’s pain is taken seriously in medical settings.

World Economic Forum: Women’s Health Transformation Map

World Economic Forum, May 2022

SWHR is featured in the Women’s Health Transformation Map, managed by the WEF’s Strategic Intelligence group. This virtual map collects a wide range of women’s health information from across organizations, including SWHR resources and blogs. (SWHR reference)

A look at the current state of uterine fibroid care

Contemporary OB/GYN, February 10, 2022

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye discusses a recent SWHR paper in Journal of Women’s Health, which reviewed of the current state of research and clinical care for uterine fibroids and highlighted opportunities for improvement.

“Well Mama” Maternal Health Limited Series | Binary Gender Dynamics with Dr. Kathryn Schubert

Well Mama Podcast, February, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert shares about the work of SWHR, its goals to improve women’s health through science, policy and education, and its efforts to advance maternal health equity.

From vaginal laser treatment to spa breaks – it’s the great menopause gold rush

The Guardian, January 26, 2022

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye discusses the stigma that women living through menopause face and the gaps in care that persist for the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause journeys.

Never Got the HPV Vaccine? Talk to Your Doctor if You’re Under 45

Giddy, January 24, 2022

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye discusses the HPV prevention options and care opportunities available for individuals, and the importance of speaking with your doctor in order to inform the best HPV treatment plan for you.

Women’s Health Data Gets Focus in FDA Device Research Initiative

Bloomberg Law, January 18, 2022

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert provides commentary on the importance of including women’s health data collection and analysis goals in the new device research guidelines from FDA, based in an great need to include more in health and medical device research.

This is Why Women are Going Undiagnosed With ADHD and ASD

Medium, January 15, 2022

SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene O. Aninye highlights the need to include women in medical research at all stages and the urgent need to invest in women’s health research.

How medicine mansplained women’s health

Vox Unexplainable Podcast, December 8, 2021

SWHR founder Florence Haseltine shares the story of the women who fought to have women included in clinical drug trials, including the founding of the Society of Women’s Health Research, and what we still don’t know about how sex and gender affect health.

Booker, Capito Introduce Legislation to Tackle Uterine Fibroids through Research, Education

Senate Press Release, July 23, 2021

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert provided comments for a Senate press release introducing the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act, legislation, which would create research and public education programs to support women suffering from uterine fibroids.

Is There Gender Bias in the Treatment of Chronic Pain?

Health Central, May 10, 2021

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert discusses the gender gap in chronic pain, including how many invisible pain conditions, where the cause of pain may not be immediately physically obvious, like migraine and endometriosis, disproportionately affect women and are subject to intense stigma.

J&J’s Second Act Creates New Challenge for Immunization Effort

Bloomberg, April 26, 2021

Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO for SWHR, explains the role women play in influencing medical decisions, and the risks and benefits women need to clearly understand before making health care decisions for their families and communities.

“Irregular menstrual cycle” isn’t listed as a COVID-19 vaccine side effect — but many report it

Salon.com, April 16, 2021

Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO for SWHR, tells Salon she thinks questions about a woman’s menstrual cycle should “absolutely” be incorporated and an expected standard in clinical trials that include women.

Sex and gender differences in osteoarthritis with Dr Melissa Laitner

Joint Action Podcast, April 2, 2021

Melissa Laitner, PhD, MPH, SWHR’s Former Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, is a guest on this podcast to discuss SWHR’s review paper on gender disparities in osteoarthritis and how understanding the influence of sex and gender differences can help improve osteoarthritis research and clinical care.

Endometriosis experiences: The long, painful road to diagnosis

Medical News Today, March 30, 2021

This article cites SWHR 2019 paper published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology emphasizing that women who seek care for endometriosis face a barrage of obstacles, including poor doctor-patient dynamics and a lack of effective treatments. (SWHR reference)

Gender and Alzheimer’s: Study Finds Harmful Proteins Accumulate Faster in Women’s Brains

Being Patient, March 29, 2021

This articles notes SWHR’s work advocating for better incorporation of sex as a biological variable (SABV) into Alzheimer’s preclinical research and references SWHR’s editorial on the topic in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. (SWHR reference)

The latest in endometriosis research: Ways forward

Medical News Today, March 17, 2021

This article references SWHR’s 2019 review paper stating that despite the high prevalence and emotional and economic impact associated with endometriosis, endometriosis remains underfunded and, therefore, under-researched. (SWHR reference)

Research Insights: How to Address Osteoarthritis Treatment Gaps in Women

Practical Pain Management, March 2, 2021

Melissa Laitner PhD, MPH, SWHR’s Former Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs and lead author of the paper, spoke to PPM about SWHR’s review paper on sex and gender differences in osteoarthritis and how we can move OA care forward for women.

Pregnant people weren’t included in the Covid vaccine studies. So how do they decide about the shot?

KUOW, February 10, 2021

SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert talks about the longstanding obstacles to the inclusion of pregnant women in clinical research because of fears of what drugs might do to a developing fetus.