First Lady, Leaders Attend Women’s Health Research Roundtable
Leaders in the investment, health care, education, and research spaces gathered in Atlanta on February 7 for an exclusive roundtable discussion on women’s health research. First Lady Jill Biden was in attendance as part of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. The all-women roundtable included 10 participants, with Tené T. Lewis, a professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health, being the only active health researcher among them.
The purpose of the roundtable was to highlight the need for increased funding and innovation in women’s health research. In her opening remarks, First Lady Biden emphasized the importance of collaboration between universities, investors, companies, doctors, and government advocates to drive progress in this field. She praised Atlanta for its long-standing commitment to women’s health research and expressed confidence in the city’s continued leadership.
During the discussion, several key issues in women’s health were addressed. Lewis, the first participant to speak, shared her work on early vascular aging in African American women. She highlighted the significance of early vascular aging as a precursor to various adverse health outcomes, such as heart disease, stroke, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, and Alzheimer’s disease. Lewis discussed the importance of understanding the unique stressors faced by Black women and their impact on vascular health.
Other participants highlighted public health inequities, focusing specifically on breast cancer prevalence and mortality, maternal mortality rates, uterine fibroids, and menopause-related risk factors. The roundtable also emphasized the need for increased investment in women-owned businesses, research funding for women’s health, and greater representation and inclusion of women in medical patents.
The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, launched in late November 2023, aims to bring together executive departments and agencies across the federal government to advance women’s health research. The initiative will deliver concrete recommendations, target priority areas, and engage the scientific, private sector, and philanthropic communities.
In conclusion, the roundtable discussion led by First Lady Jill Biden brought together influential leaders, including Tené T. Lewis, to address critical issues in women’s health research. The event underscored the urgent need for investment, innovation, and collaboration to advance women’s health outcomes. Through the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, the government aims to drive progress in this important field and create a healthier future for women.
