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.
June 2022
How Hormones Can Tell a Fertility Story
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…
Closing the Loop for Lupus in Women’s Health Care
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by widespread inflammation that often results in damage to the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus, and 90% are women between the ages of 15 and 44. Lupus is more prevalent among women of color, who also develop symptoms at younger ages and have more severe symptoms and complications from the disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type…
VCU Health of Women 2022: Emerging Topics in Women’s Health
Hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University, Health of Women 2022 is designed with a valued approach of addressing women's health across the life span and will address the challenges and nuances of sex and gender medicine. This day-and-a-half virtual conference is filled with engaging lectures and discussions. Hosts have carefully crafted an agenda catering to the learning needs of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants and other health care professionals focused on women’s health in family practice, internal medicine,…
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…
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.
The Clinician Resource Guide to Fertility Health Care
Infertility is increasingly common in the United States, and health care providers should be prepared to have fertility conversations with their patients. This guide can assist health care providers as they help families navigate their fertility options, using a shared decision-making approach.
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
