Women’s Health Equity Initiative

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR)’s Women’s Health Equity Initiative was launched in 2021 to raise awareness, educate the public and policymakers, and to address longstanding disparities in women’s health care access and outcomes. This initiative recognizes that achieving true health equity for women requires a nuanced understanding of the diverse experiences shaped by intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, geographic location, and disability status, among others.

Sixteen percent of women report fair or poor health status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

These percentages are even higher among women of color.

Pairing the statistics that illustrate disparities amongst women and between women and men alongside stories of patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians from a variety of health areas, we can begin to understand the gaps in women’s health outcomes and what equity would mean for the health of women.

This initiative acknowledges that women’s health equity is not just about biological differences, but also about addressing the social determinants of health that disproportionately affect diverse populations of women. These factors include economic inequality, caregiving responsibilities, gender-based violence, and systemic biases within health care and policy systems. By promoting an intersectional approach to women’s health care and research, we aim to create comprehensive solutions that address the complex web of factors influencing women’s health outcomes.

A message from Kathryn G. Schubert

SWHR President and CEO

Women’s Health Equity Initiative Goals:

• Education and awareness concerning disparities in women’s health that persist across the lifespan

• Intersectional research and solutions that address disparities in diagnosis and treatment

• Sex differences research and representation of diverse populations of women in medical research

• Improve access to quality health care for all women, with an intersectional lens on those subpopulations who experience the greatest challenges

• Policy change to advance equity in the health of women

• Measurement and evaluation of progress in addressing women’s health issues

Through these goals, SWHR aims to create a future where all women, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal opportunities to achieve optimal health and well-being. We recognize that this is a complex, long-term endeavor that requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and innovation. By addressing both the biological and social aspects of women’s health, we strive to make meaningful progress towards true health equity.

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