President Biden’s Initiative to Advance Women’s Health Research
In his recent State of the Union address, President Joe Biden underscored the urgent need to prioritize women’s health research, a field historically underfunded. “Women are more than half of our population, but research on women’s health has always been underfunded,” Biden stated. To address this disparity, the President announced the launch of the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, led by First Lady Jill Biden.
Biden called on Congress to support a $12 billion investment to revolutionize women’s health research, which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of women across the nation.
Groundbreaking Symposium at UConn Health
Following the State of the Union, on International Women’s Day and during Women’s History Month, UConn Health hosted a research symposium focusing on women’s health. Over 40 female physicians, scientists, and their male colleagues gathered in the Academic Rotunda on March 8 to share their latest findings. This event was organized by UConn Health’s Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS).
The symposium featured Dr. Janine Austin Clayton, a prominent figure in women’s health research and the NIH’s associate director for Research on Women’s Health. In her virtual keynote titled “From Evidence to Impact: The Power of Research to Improve the Health of Women,” Dr. Clayton highlighted the transformative potential of research. “Our mission is to enhance and expand women’s health research,” she emphasized, adding that collaboration is integral: “Team science is not the way of the future; it is how we do our work.”
Celebrating Trailblazers and Role Models
UConn Health Interim CEO Dr. Bruce T. Liang praised the contributions of women researchers and clinicians. “Today is history in the making,” Liang said. “At UConn, we are proud to have such strong role models and trailblazers, including Dr. Marja Hurley and Dr. Laurinda Jaffe.”
Dr. Marja Hurley’s Legacy
Dr. Marja Hurley, a tenured professor of medicine and orthopedics, has conducted groundbreaking bone research funded by the NIH for over three decades. She is the first Black woman to be appointed a UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor. Hurley remarked on the importance of inclusion in research, stating, “For me, it is very important for women physicians and scientists to be included in all research domains and disciplines.”
Hurley highlighted the potential impact of gender-focused research on improving patient treatments and reducing health disparities. She expressed hope that the symposium would foster collaborations among clinicians, basic scientists, and translational researchers.
Dr. Laurinda Jaffe’s Contributions to Fertility Research
Dr. Laurinda Jaffe, chair of the Department of Cell Biology and a Member of the National Academy of Sciences, has made significant advancements in fertility research. “The increase in opportunities for women in science and health care over the past 50 years has been amazing,” Jaffe said. She also acknowledged Dr. Hurley’s efforts in organizing the symposium and praised the national focus on women’s health through initiatives like ARPA-H.
The Future of Women’s Health Research
The GWIMS Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. Hurley, includes a diverse group of distinguished professionals from various disciplines. Their collective efforts aim to advance women’s health research and mentor the next generation of scientists.
Reflecting on the success of the symposium, Dr. Hurley expressed her hopes for the future: “Our GWIMS chapter at UConn Health hopes this Women’s Health research symposium becomes an annual event.” By continuing to shine a light on women’s health, these initiatives pave the way for a healthier future for all women.
Source: https://today.uconn.edu/2024/03/growing-womens-health-research/
