Women have unique health needs, and most diseases and conditions affect women differently than men.
The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is the thought leader in promoting research on biological sex differences in disease and improving women’s health through science, policy, and education. We are making women’s health mainstream.
Women’s Health Equity Initiative
Women in the United States experience health disparities throughout their lifespans as a result of their gender, historic health inequities in the health care system, and socioeconomic conditions.
The new Women’s Health Equity Initiative highlights statistics on women’s health in the United States and aims to engage communities on solutions to improve health equity across multiple disease states, conditions, and life stages. The first phase of the Initiative is focused on Alzheimer’s disease, bone health, maternal health, and menopause.
Through the creation of a unique roadmap and video testimonials, featuring caregivers, patients, and clinicians across the United States, SWHR is working to end women’s health disparities based on age, race, ethnicity, geography, and among caregivers. To learn more and support the Women’s Health Equity Initiative, visit www.swhr.org/healthequity.
UPCOMING SWHR EVENTS
Join us for expert conversations on women’s health research and care, hosted by SWRH and featuring SWHR leaders.
July 2022
Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
Approximately 1.3 million women in the United States transition into menopause each year. During the menopause transition (perimenopause), the body undergoes hormonal changes, characterized by a significant decrease in estrogen. This change typically begins to occur in a woman’s late 40s or 50s, and can last up to 10 or 20 years. However, some individuals may experience menopause early due to certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. Menopause, itself, is defined as the point in time 12 months after a…
August 2022
Menopause Mindfulness: Understanding the Many Paths to Menopause
Approximately 1.3 million women in the United States transition into menopause each year. During the menopause transition (perimenopause), the body undergoes hormonal changes, characterized by a significant decrease in estrogen. This change typically begins to occur in a woman’s late 40s or 50s, and can last up to 10 or 20 years. However, some individuals may experience menopause early due to certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. Menopause, itself, is defined as the point in time 12 months after a…
September 2022
Ovarian Cancer Screening: More than a Pelvic Exam
In the United States, there are more than 100 diagnostic tests and procedures available for detecting diseases and monitoring their progression. Diagnostic tools are also used to guide treatments and evaluate their effectiveness. Some tests are invasive, such as a biopsy or endoscopy; whereas others are noninvasive, such as x-rays and ultrasound imaging procedures. Innovations in diagnostics provide access to health information, helping women make informed decisions about their health care at every stage of their lives. Screening and diagnostic…
Menopause Mindfulness: Living Your Best Work-Life through the Menopause Transition
Event is at 1:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4:00) Approximately 1.3 million women in the United States transition into menopause each year. During the menopause transition (perimenopause), the body undergoes hormonal changes, characterized by a significant decrease in estrogen. This change typically begins to occur in a woman’s late 40s or 50s, and can last up to 10 or 20 years. However, some individuals may experience menopause early due to certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. Menopause, itself, is defined as the point…
October 2022
Understanding the Tests that Could Save My Breasts
In the United States, there are more than 100 diagnostic tests and procedures available for detecting diseases and monitoring their progression. Diagnostic tools are also used to guide treatments and evaluate their effectiveness. Some tests are invasive, such as a biopsy or endoscopy; whereas others are noninvasive, such as x-rays and ultrasound imaging procedures. Innovations in diagnostics provide access to health information, helping women make informed decisions about their health care at every stage of their lives. Screening and diagnostic…
What we’re doing
Check out the latest women’s health research resources from SWHR.
Poster: Understanding Genetic Screening and Maternal Health Care
This poster focuses on two types of screening, Expanded Carrier Screening and Noninvasive Prenatal Screening, as well as key considerations for patients and providers. SWHR encourages sharing this resources with family or friends and displaying it in doctors offices.
Moving from a ‘Break and Fix’ to a ‘Predict and Prevent’ Model in Women’s Bone Health Care
Prevention, access to care, coverage of critical bone density scans and treatments, and greater education and awareness can improve bone health outcomes for women across the lifespan. This fact sheet reviews fracture risk factors and discusses policy’s role in improving outcomes.
The Women’s Resource Guide to Fertility Health Care
Nearly 1 in 8 couples having trouble getting pregnant or sustaining their pregnancy, but women tend to bear a greater burden in infertility care management. This guide was created to help patients navigate their fertility options and treatment.
Roadmap: Crucial Vaccination Conversations: A Roadmap to Engage Women and Their Communities
Vaccines are an important measure to promote family and public health by slowing, and sometimes preventing, the spread of infectious and dangerous diseases. SWHR’s roadmap is designed to to guide community program planners as they engage women and their families in meaningful conversations around vaccinations.
SHARE YOUR STORY
SWHR is asking women to share their personal health journeys, to be posted on the SWHR website and other SWHR-branded material, as appropriate. In addition to patient stories, SWHR is interested in the stories of those who serve as caregiver for a family member (parent, spouse, child, etc.). Your story is powerful and we hope to share with policymakers, researchers, providers and most importantly, other women.
Your story could help educate and inform other women who may be going through a similar experience.
who we are
Learn more about SWHR’s science, policy and education efforts to make women’s health mainstream.
Learn more about SWHR’s mission, vision, and strategic map.
Learn more about our science programs.
Work that
matters
Biological differences between the sexes exist, from a single cell to the entire body. SWHR is bringing attention to sex and gender differences in health and disease in order to address unmet needs and research gaps in women’s health.
we’re leading the way
