A Historic Commitment to Transform Women’s Health Research
In a major step forward for women’s health, ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health launched with an unprecedented $110 million investment to address long-ignored gaps in research that have left countless women underserved and underdiagnosed. “This is government at its best,” remarked Dr. Jill Biden at the announcement, emphasizing the commitment to funding research that could transform care and outcomes for millions of women.
Maria Shriver, a long-time advocate for women’s health, underscored the initiative’s significance by adding, “Whatever your political affiliation, it shows that government matters, that government can elevate an issue and put it front and center, and things change dramatically.” In today’s uncertain climate, these words resonate, offering reassurance that this historic support for women’s health is moving forward.
The Sprint for Women’s Health funds 23 innovative projects—from addressing chronic conditions to pioneering faster diagnostics—that have the power to redefine healthcare for women. And while concerns about the future of women’s health research have risen in light of recent political shifts, the ARPA-H funding distributed for these transformative projects remains intact, ensuring this vital research can continue and make the impact women have long needed.
“We’ve all experienced those menopause symptoms that upend our lives, yet women go to doctors and leave with more questions than answers.” - Dr. Jill Biden
Why This Women's Health Sprint Is Long Overdue
To understand the urgency, we need to look back. Until the early 1990s, women were largely excluded from clinical trials in the U.S., and even now, research on women’s health lags behind. It wasn’t until 1993 that the FDA required women to be included in clinical trials under the NIH Revitalization Act, mandating that all NIH-funded clinical research include women and minorities. This policy shift, though necessary, came after decades of research focused solely on male physiology, leaving critical knowledge gaps about how conditions, drugs, and treatments affect women specifically.
This exclusion has had lasting consequences. Without data on women, medical treatments have often been based on male-centered studies, leading to ineffective or even harmful outcomes for women. This historical oversight explains why women are more likely to experience adverse drug reactions, as medications were often tested without accounting for differences in female biology. For example, women account for two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients, yet little research has focused on why this is the case. As Maria Shriver noted, “Less than 11% of NIH funding was focused on women’s health research.”
The ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health marks a profound change in approach, not only prioritizing women’s health but also funding 23 projects focused exclusively on research gaps that have left women behind for decades.
Why Women’s Health Funding Has Been Urgent for Decades
Women’s health issues, like heart disease, endometriosis, and autoimmune diseases, have been sidelined for years due to a lack of dedicated research. Dr. Jill Biden emphasized the impact of this, saying, “We’ve all experienced those menopause symptoms that upend our lives, yet women go to doctors and leave with more questions than answers.” This gap has real-world impacts, costing the U.S. billions annually in lost productivity and leaving women with inadequate solutions for health issues like heart disease, migraines, and menopause.
Empowering a New Era of Women-Led Innovation
The ARPA-H Sprint is unique not just in its scale but in its approach. Dr. Renee Wegrzyn explained that ARPA-H made applying for funding easier, designed to welcome small companies and first-time applicants: “If you can’t tell us your idea in three pages, you can’t tell it in 100.” This streamlined process encouraged broader participation, with 70% of winning projects led by women and 30% from companies new to government funding.
Projects funded include everything from Gravidas Diagnostics’ at-home preeclampsia test to Tufts University’s AI-driven “smart band-aid” for pain management, highlighting the diversity and ambition of these groundbreaking solutions.
Addressing Chronic Pain and Under-Researched Conditions
One of the most impactful areas of the Sprint’s focus is on under-researched and debilitating conditions like chronic pain, endometriosis, and migraines. Dr. Biden emphasized the importance of these initiatives by sharing that “one in ten women suffers from endometriosis, yet it can take up to a decade for diagnosis.” The Sprint’s funding aims to cut that down significantly, supporting projects like Washington University’s first-ever blood test for endometriosis, which promises to reduce diagnosis time from years to days.
Similarly, funding for the University of North Carolina’s migraine research seeks to uncover the link between migraines and the lymphatic system, advancing the potential for gender-specific migraine treatments.
Investing in Women’s Brain Health and Beyond
With neurodegenerative diseases disproportionately affecting women, funding for brain health projects like Massachusetts General Hospital’s glymphatic health tracker and Monash University’s nano-drug delivery device for strokes address urgent, unmet needs. “Alzheimer’s does discriminate against women,” noted Maria Shriver, underscoring how critical it is to understand and address women’s unique brain health risks.
Why This Sprint Could Change the Future of Women’s Health
Dr. Jill Biden called on the private sector to join the fight for women’s health, stressing that “the women of America are waiting on you.” In 2021, the Boston Consulting Group estimated that the women’s health market could grow from $9 billion to $29 billion within eight years. The Sprint’s funding brings these opportunities to light, with innovations set to create real market potential in areas like menopause, cardiovascular health, and mental wellness.
Dr. Renee Wegrzyn concluded with her vision for the Sprint: “It is a sprint, but we've got two years working with teams to really make that a reality.” This rapid approach exemplifies ARPA-H’s commitment to making an immediate impact and inspiring long-term investment in women’s health innovation.
A Call to Action for the Future of Women’s Health
In times of uncertainty, ARPA-H’s commitment to women’s health shines as a beacon of progress. Despite the shifting political landscape, the need for equitable healthcare solutions for women remains as urgent as ever. This funding is more than just a financial investment; it’s a declaration that women’s health deserves to be prioritized, researched, and funded with focus and urgency.
As Maria Shriver expressed, this work is about building a future where women’s health is not only acknowledged but fully supported through groundbreaking research and innovation. Fempower Health is dedicated to keeping you informed on the progress of these revolutionary projects and underscoring the critical need for continued investment in women’s health.
This is just the beginning. Dr. Jill Biden put it best: “There is incredible momentum. Let’s make sure that this energy is unstoppable so that we leave doctors' offices with more answers than questions and take this moment of opportunity to create something extraordinary.” We invite you to join us in supporting the journey toward health equity for women everywhere.
Sources:
HLTH USA 2024, White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research Part One: Remarks from First Lady Jill Biden
HLTH USA 2024, White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research Part Two: A Conversation Featuring Maria Shriver, Dr. Lucy Pérez, Dr. Carolyn Mazure, and Dr. Renee Wegrzyn
ARPA-H Sprint for Women’s Health: https://arpa-h.gov/engage-and-transition/sprint
Comments