Women's Health Research (E.O. 14120)

Summary

Aims to improve women's health by increasing research, closing knowledge gaps, and making sure new discoveries help women in the real world.

What problem does this solve?

For a long time, medical research did not include women, so we know very little about health issues that affect them, especially women of color, older women, and women with disabilities. This order directs government agencies to prioritize and fund women's health research, develop better standards for studies, and turn new findings into better healthcare for all women.

What does this order do?

Integrates women's health in federal research

Requires federal agencies to develop or strengthen research and data standards to better study women's health in all federally funded research projects.

Prioritizes federal investments in women's health

Directs agencies to prioritize grants and other awards to advance women's health research, focusing on health disparities, interdisciplinary work, and turning research into better health outcomes.

Galvanizes research on women's midlife health

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to launch a major assessment of the science on menopause to create a research agenda and develop public resources.

Assesses unmet funding needs

Requires the Office of Management and Budget and the Gender Policy Council to identify gaps in federal funding for women's health research and recommend necessary funding to the President.

Improves participation in clinical trials

Requires agencies to improve the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of women in clinical trials, including by reducing barriers through technology.

Uses artificial intelligence for women's health

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consider how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used responsibly to advance women's health research.

Supports women service members and veterans

Requires the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the midlife health needs of women service members and veterans and recommend better treatment and research.

Who does this affect?

Women
Medical researchers
Healthcare providers

What is the real world impact?

•

Corrects historical research bias

Addresses the long-standing issue of women being excluded from scientific and biomedical studies, which has led to significant gaps in understanding their health.

•

Improves healthcare outcomes for women

Aims to translate research findings into real-world benefits, leading to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for conditions that affect women uniquely or differently.

When does this start?

This order sets several deadlines for federal agencies to take action, starting within 30 days of its signing on March 18, 2024.

Interagency Subgroup Establishment

Within 30 days, a subgroup must be established to promote consistent research and data standards for women's health across agencies.

Agency Action Reports

Within 90 days, agencies must report on actions taken to strengthen their research and data standards for studying women's health.

Menopause Research Assessment

Within 90 days, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must launch a comprehensive assessment of the science on menopause.

Funding Gap Guidance

Within 90 days, the Office of Management and Budget and Gender Policy Council must develop guidance for agencies to assess funding needs for women's health research.

Agency Funding Needs Reports

Within 180 days, agencies must submit reports identifying the funding needed to advance research on women's health.

Presidential Report on Standards

Within 180 days, and annually thereafter, agencies must report to the President on the status of implementing new research and data standards.