A healthier generation starts with healthier women

Women’s health faces new challenges in the aftermath of the election, with crucial funding and protections at risk. As the cornerstone of a thriving society, women deserve our continued support, and investing in their health is essential – not only for today’s communities, but for generations to come. A resilient, healthier society starts with ensuring the health and well-being of all women, especially in a time of decline and opposition.

As a caregiver in my roles as mother, grandmother, and aunt, as well as in my professional capacity as a social epidemiologist, women’s health researcher, and public health leader, I believe that if we are serious about improving of the results for society, we must prioritize women’s health. My career has focused on understanding health disparities, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular disease and stroke. I have seen firsthand how a woman’s health determines the future well-being of all the people in her life: children, parents, partners and friends. Despite advances in public health, we still fail to give women’s health the attention it deserves, especially during the critical phases of adolescence, reproductive years, middle age and later life.

Below, I outline some of the critical blind spots in women’s health research and provide recommendations on where we should invest to ensure better outcomes for women who make up more than half of our country’s population.

Blind spots in women’s health: what we don’t knowCanHurt us

Historically, women’s health has been under-researched, especially in terms of their unique biological factors and how this affects long-term health. Although decades of research show a strong association between amother’s health during pregnancythere is little attention for the motherhealth after pregnancy. Maternal malnutrition, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and chronic socio-economic stress during pregnancy are risk factors for long-term health problems such as stroke and heart disease later in life.

A study conducted in five countries found that when maternal health is prioritized, it is not alonereduces maternal mortalitybut also leads to a 30% improvement in the long-term health of their children. The report also highlighted that the critical period of a woman’s reproductive years holds valuable clues about her future well-being. A mother’s well-being is fundamental, not only during pregnancy, but throughout her reproductive life. So why don’t we apply the same urgency to improving women’s health outcomes as we do to children’s health? Both phases are critical.

While pregnancy and postpartum are crucial moments that determine a woman’s short- and long-term health, the reality is that blind spots in women’s health extend throughout the lifespan. From adolescence through menopause and into old age, women face unique health issues that are often misunderstood, misdiagnosed and ignored. For decades, most of the science surrounding women’s health has come from studies conducted on men. Here are some facts: Nearly two-thirds of Americans suffer from itAlzheimer’s diseasehis women,heart diseaseis the leading cause of death for women in the US; women are responsible for almost 80% of all deathsautoimmune diseasecases, the lifespanrisk of strokeis higher in women than men and when women have a stroke they are more likely to be sick, sent to nursing facilities and end up alone.

Despite this knowledge, we don’t knowWhywomen are more susceptible to all these diseases. Are hormonal differences, genetics, or underrepresentation in early clinical trials to blame? The reasons remain unclear, and research focused on gender-specific differences is only now gaining momentum. These knowledge gaps can harm women today and expose them to greater risks in the future. If we don’t address these blind spots, we will not only fail to protect women and mothers, but we will also undermine the potential for healthier lives for all.

We must support research that extends beyond the context of reproduction, but across the lifespan, and support policies that ensure paid family leave, equal access to health care, and comprehensive reproductive health care. We need to support wellbeing in the workplace, including supporting women through child-rearing and menopause, and we need to create an environment where women can age successfully.

Women’s health is not just a women’s problem; it is a public health issue that demands our attention. The path forward is clear: we must invest in the health of all women, at all stages, if we want healthier children, stronger communities and a better future. It is time for us to pay attention to and invest in women-focused health research advocacy and policies.