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Beatty Statement on National Women’s Health Week

May 18, 2017
Announcements

Beatty Statement on National Women's Health Week

Week-long initiative encourages women to make their health a top priority

Each year, beginning on Mother's Day, our nation observes National Women's Health Week (NWHW). This year, NWHW runs from May 14th through May 20th. In response, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement:

"Women must make their physical and mental health a priority. Whether it's getting a regular checkup with their doctor or maintaining healthy habits like eating well and staying active, there are plenty of opportunities for women to take greater control of their health. That is why I join with many like-minded individuals and organizations across the country in recognizing National Women's Health Week and I urge all women to take time this week, and all year long, to better understand what steps they can take to improve their overall health and health outcomes."

Of note, in 2016, Congresswoman Beatty introduced bipartisan legislation, the Enhancing Minority and Women Representation in NIH Medical Research Act, that would reduce and help eliminate gender and racial health disparities by improving clinical trial research diversity. Although current federal law requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to have minority and women participation in clinical trial research, diversity in clinical trials is still lacking. For example, heart disease kills roughly one in three women each year, but only 24 percent of participants in all heart-related studies are women, according to the American Heart Association.

For nearly two decades, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women's Health has led NWHW. Learn more about NWHW by visiting HHS' website and be sure to join the conversation online by using #NWHW.

Issues:HealthcareScience and TechnologyDiversity and Inclusion