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.
IT time to… Read My Lips
SWHR is kicking off the Read My Lips 👄 campaign this September – activating around Healthy Aging Month and World Heart Day, on September 29. The forefront of this campaign message is emphasizing the importance of women knowing their risk factors for heart disease and understanding and the critical role cholesterol screening – and specifically, lipid panel testing, the most comprehensive way to measure cholesterol – for women’s heart health. Learn more about #ReadMyLips and join us on social media to share the message.
UPCOMING SWHR EVENTS
Join us for expert conversations on women’s health research and care, hosted by SWHR and featuring SWHR leaders.
May 2023
Hot Topics from Biology of Sex Differences Session
Hot Topics from Biology of Sex Differences Session on May 10 at 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT is part of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (OSSD) Annual Meeting in May 2023. Learn more about the OSSD Annual Meeting here. The session will be moderated by Jill Becker, University of Michigan, Professor of Psychology, Research Professor Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute. SWHR will present on its Biology of Sex Differences article, "The roles of sex and gender in…
#SWHRtalksHPV: Vaccination for Cancer Prevention
SWHR hosted a virtual public forum to share educational information about the HPV vaccine and highlight diverse perspectives on the value of the HPV vaccine in cancer prevention.
June 2023
A Conversation on the Elevation of Sex and Gender in Publishing Academic Research
During this special web event, SWHR will bring together representatives from academic journals for a conversation about what they are doing to elevate the importance of sex differences research and how the journals are approaching policies related to reporting on sex and gender in research studies.
Putting Our Heads Together: Diagnostic Innovations for Alzheimer’s Disease
SWHR is hosting a series of public forums to share educational information about the importance and value of innovative diagnostics throughout the lifespan and across disease states and conditions. This events will discuss how to improve health outcomes for diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women, with a focus on Alzheimer's.
Reflecting on 30 Years of The Revitalization Act: A Conversation with SWHR’s Founder
During a special conversation, SWHR President and CEO Kathryn Schubert, MPP, CAE will sit down with SWHR Founder and Board Member Florence Haseltine, PhD, MD to discuss SWHR’s role in passing the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 and the progress that has been made in women’s health research since that time.
July 2023
Menopause Wellness at Work: An Instagram Live Conversation
During this SWHR Instagram Live event, leaders from SWHR and Let's Talk Menopause discuss menopause wellness at work.
August 2023
The Impact of Menopause on Women at Work: A Fireside Chat
An estimated 6,000 women in the United States reach menopause daily, with 51 being the average age. For many individuals, the hormonal changes that take place during the menopause transition are associated with physical and psychological symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood fluctuations, sleep disruptions, and cognitive challenges. These highly variable symptoms are commonly misdiagnosed, resulting in inappropriate management and disruption of day-to-day activities. Menopause is a life stage that all women of a certain…
September 2023
Elucidating Endometriosis: Persistent Gaps in Research & Care
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that affects more than 200 million women worldwide. Endometrial lesions tend to form in the pelvic cavity outside of the uterus, causing pain in a woman’s pelvis and back, between periods, and with intercourse, as well as heavy menstrual bleeding and infertility. In fact, 30-50% of individuals with endometriosis experience infertility. Although endometriosis can begin in adolescence and also affect postmenopausal women, it is most commonly diagnosed in a woman’s 30s or 40s. Endometriosis…
2023 Michigan Life Sciences Showcase
The MichBio Showcase will bring together industry professionals, thought leaders, and changemakers from all life sciences sectors with patients and patient advocates, higher education and research professionals, services providers, students, and economic development and nonprofit partners to promote industry connectivity, share best practices and emerging trends insights, explore the changing healthcare landscape, and drive industry growth. Catch SWHR at the event! SWHR will be exhibiting and presenting at the Showcase. SWHR's presentation, "Addressing Disparities Through Patient, Provider, and Policymaker Collaborations: Women's…
Addressing Sex Differences in Heart Health and Access to Care Barriers that Impact Outcomes for Women: A Policy and Public Health Approach
SWHR's interdisciplinary Heart Health Policy Working Group of policy experts, researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates meet to discuss policy needs and opportunities as they relate to women’s heart health across the lifespan.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
The Women’s Health Equity Initiative
The 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. SWHR newly added lupus as a focus area to the Women’s Health Equity Initiative Dashboard in May 2023!
To learn more, visit www.swhr.org/healthequity.
The Women’s Health Dashboard
The SWHR Women’s Health Dashboard offers a platform to explore the latest national and state data on diseases and health conditions that have significant impacts on women’s health across the lifespan. Five women’s health issues emerged as the focus areas of the Dashboard: Alzheimer’s Disease, Breast Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Depressive Disorders, Ischemic Heart Disease.
Explore the full Dashboard at swhr.org/womenshealthdashboard.
Issues Affecting Health Care Coverage and Access for Women with Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions
This series of policy documents highlight the ways policy and research can close gaps and improve health outcomes for women living with autoimmune diseases.
Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
This toolkit helps prepare individuals for life through and following the menopause transition, and how to embrace wellness during the journey.
Prevent Cancer with the HPV Vaccine Fact Sheet
This provider fact sheet shares tips for discussing the HPV vaccination with caregivers and teens, vaccination recommendations by age, and HPV-associated cancer risks.
Noninvasive Prenatal Screening Resource Guide for Women
Genetic screenings can be done using a number of different methods and across many times in a person’s life. Learn more about Noninvasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) in this personal toolkit.
