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.
October 2022
Stronger than Sticks and Stones: Promoting Women’s Bone Health through Preventive Care
Approximately 54 million Americans have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis and bone fracture. Risk of bone fracture is higher in women compared to men, in part, due to the influence of the hormone estrogen. Throughout a woman’s life, estrogen has important bone building function that is compromised when its production significantly reduces after menopause. Approximately half of all women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, and in older adults, complications related…
NIPS Explained: A Fireside Chat About Prenatal Genetic Screening
Noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is a type of genetic screening that assesses if a pregnancy is at increased risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome. Prenatal genetic screening is an innovative tool that can help women make informed decisions about their reproductive health and pregnancy management, and may improve maternal and fetal outcomes by allowing preparation to care for children who may have a genetic disorder. NIPS (also referred to as cfDNA screening) can be…
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…
Closing the Loop for Lupus: A Fireside Chat
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…
Psoriatic Arthritis: More than Just Sore Joints
More than 8 million individuals in the United States have psoriasis. This chronic inflammatory skin disease is characterized by patches of red or discolored and irritated skin that are often covered by flaky white or gray scales, depending on the skin type. An estimated 10-30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – a type of inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis. Approximately 40% of people with PsA report significant impacts on their everyday life, and despite PsA occurring…
What we’re doing
SWHR is recognizing World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 by featuring recent work in the space, including the Taking Heed of Alzheimer’s Disease Congressional Briefing and Breaking Down the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet.
SWHR is recognizing World Narcolepsy Day on September 22 with two new fact sheets. Check them out: Narcolepsy and Maternal Health: Fact Sheet and World Narcolepsy Day Fact Sheet.
Check out some of the other latest women’s health research resources from SWHR.
Fact Sheet: Utilization Management Policies and Autoimmune Diseases
This resource explores autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases care options and related policy affects on provider and patient experiences.
Promoting Bone Health Through Policy: A Call to Action
SWHR’s first disease-specific policy agenda is intended to serve as a roadmap outlining key areas of policy needed to improve the bone health of women from childhood through adulthood.
Fact Sheet: Breaking Down the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease for Women: A Call to Action
Women bear the brunt of the Alzheimer’s disease burden, both as patients and as caregivers. This fact sheet reviews prevalence, clinical options, policy solutions related to Alzheimer’s.
Call to Action: Addressing Health Care Barriers for Women Living with Lupus
This call to action by SWRH emphasizes three priority areas to implement preventive health care and to address barriers in diagnosing and treating lupus in women.
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
