policy events
SWHR hosts congressional briefings and other policy-focused events on a variety of women’s health and research-related subjects.
Attended by congressional staff, federal agency personnel, and advocacy group representatives, these events inform attendees about issues important to women’s health. SWHR’s Policy Advisory Council also meets quarterly to discuss current policies affecting women’s health and SWHR’s positions and engagement in these areas.
Policymaker Event, SWHR Policy Advisory Council
Upcoming Policy Events
Join us for discussion about innovations in women’s health.
December 2022
Addressing Concerns and Considerations Surrounding the Inclusion of Pregnant and Lactating Populations in Research
https://youtu.be/OChZmjqP08w Pregnant and lactating women have historically been excluded from clinical trials. Federal policies from the 1970s that excluded “women of childbearing age” from research led research to use male participants, limiting our knowledge base. Although a 1994 report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that pregnant women be presumed to be eligible to participate in clinical studies and that lactating women not be excluded from clinical studies, concerns remain about including pregnant and lactating populations in research. During this…
January 2023
The Growing National Burden of Autoimmune Diseases and the Role of Policy in Improving Outcomes
Autoimmune diseases are a group of more than 80 chronic and often disabling diseases that develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy organs, tissues, and cells. Women are disproportionately affected by autoimmune diseases, representing 80% of patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. Women also experience greater expectations when it comes to caregiving for those who may suffer from these chronic conditions. The Society for Women’s Health Research hosted a public forum on January 17, 2023, where panelists…
Friends of ORWH Congressional Reception
The Friends of the Office of Research on Women’s Health invite you to a congressional reception in celebration of Women’s Health Research Day, which commemorates the implementation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Policy on Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in January 2016. The day aims to raise awareness of the historical underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, the importance of designing basic, preclinical, and biomedical research studies in females and males, and the need to disaggregate and…
Pregnant and Lactating Populations in Research: How Leaving These Populations Out Leaves Them Behind
https://youtu.be/LaVyovDuxEk Pregnant and lactating populations are routinely left out of clinical trials, leaving these populations and their health care providers with a dearth of information about which vaccines or diagnostic devices may be safe and effective for both mother and baby. The lack of information about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant and lactating populations—due in part to poorly justified concerns about the safety of medications and vaccines during pregnancy—led to a significant delay in getting…
February 2023
Coverage and Access Issues Affecting Women Living with Autoimmune Diseases
https://youtu.be/TXiZWWqfC7s The rate of autoimmune diseases and conditions in the United States is rising—and women are disproportionately affected. Generally, autoimmune diseases cannot be cured, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing the progression and impacts of the disease. However, utilization management (UM) tools, such as prior authorization and step therapy, are increasingly being used by payers and can cause delays in care, which can be devastating for patients, resulting in disease progression and higher costs over time. In this…
PRGLAC Then and Now: Where We Are and Where We’re Going
https://youtu.be/LynEQnV6gjU The 21st Century Cures Act established the Task Force on Research Specific to Pregnant Women and Lactating Women (PRGLAC) to advise the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regarding gaps in knowledge and research on safe and effective therapies for pregnant women and lactating women. The Task Force’s work culminated in a set of recommendations based on information gleaned during four open meetings and a public comment period. The central theme of those recommendations was…
The Impact of Menopause on Women’s Health: A Workplace Initiative
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. With approximately 44% of women in the workforce being older…
The Impact of Menopause on Women’s Health: A Workplace Initiative
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. With approximately 44% of women in the workforce being older…
March 2023
SWHR Policy Advisory Council Meeting
SWHR’s Policy Advisory Council will meet for its quarterly closed-door meeting. The Policy Advisory Council is a forum for industry, nonprofit, and other health care stakeholders to partner with SWHR to support emerging scientific research and public policy that will improve women’s health. Council members will have an opportunity to work collaboratively to develop policy positions, promote research, and create materials designed benefit women’s health. LEARN MORE
The Role of Federal Agencies in Supporting Women with Autoimmune Diseases and Conditions
https://youtu.be/Lmpe_vvvFyY According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, autoimmune diseases—a group of more than 80 chronic diseases that develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy organs, tissues, and cells—are a leading cause of death and disability, and their treatment costs are estimated to be greater than $100 billion annually. Autoimmune diseases take a disproportionate toll on women, who represent 80% of patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. During this national webinar, panelists discussed how…