Women's Health Updates — February 2023

Learn about recent developments in women's health as well as SWHR's activities that promote the study of sex and gender influences on health and serve our mission to improve women's health through science, policy, and education.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2023 GALA
You’re invited to join SWHR and other supporters of women’s health as we gather in-person for SWHR’s 2023 Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. This event will honor leaders who have significantly advanced women’s health throughout their careers. The evening will take place at the InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf, beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

Tickets and sponsorships are available here. Please contact Emma Bixler at emma@swhr.org or 202-464-6923 with any questions. 
HAPPENING THIS FEBRUARY
AMERICAN HEART MONTH
This February is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for women and men. In SWHR's diagnostics series, hear how to nurture heart health in women: "Taking it to Heart: Addressing Cardiovascular Disease in Women"
WORLD CANCER DAY
February 4 is World Cancer Day. Cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the United States. HPV (human papillomavirus) causes 90% of cervical and anal cancer cases, and 70% of vulvar, vaginal, and oropharyngeal cancers. There is an effective vaccination for HPV available, that can help protect you and your family from cancer. Learn more in SWHR's newest fact sheet for clinical and patient communities: Prevent Cancer with the HPV Vaccine: A Guide to Giving a Strong Recommendation.

Do you have a cancer care story? Share it with SWHR by visiting swhr.org/shareyourstory.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
This month, SWHR looks forward to celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11! Thank you to everyone who has supported women in science and supported SWHR over the years, helping us make crucial advancements for women's health research. What do you want to see from SWHR in support of women and girls in science this year? Reply to this email and let us know!

NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY
Caregiving is invaluable for millions of patients and families across the country. On February 17, we recognize, honor, and thank the millions of caregivers among us. Over 75% of caregivers are female, according to Caregiver.org. Read one women's caregiver story on the SWHR blog here.
Share your own caregiver story with SWHR by visiting swhr.org/shareyourstory. We strive to collect the diverse and important stories of all types of caregivers.

RARE DISEASE DAY
Did you know narcolepsy is considered a rare disease? This sleep condition impacts up to 200,000 individuals in the United States. Ahead of Rare Disease Day on February 28, learn more about the risks and treatments for narcolepsy in SWHR's Narcolepsy Toolkit and online at #SWHRtalksSleep.
What's on your mind this month? Share your women's health story with SWHR. SWHR is seeking stories about diagnoses, seeking care, and living with lupus, menopause, autoimmune disease, HPV-associated cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, or other conditions. Visit swhr.org/shareyourstory or click the button here to learn more.
LATEST SWHR RESOURCES
SWHR Publishes HPV Fact Sheet for Clinicians

Health care providers play a crucial role in uptake for the HPV vaccine. The conversations they have can have lasting impacts on patients’ health care. SWHR's newest fact sheet, Prevent Cancer with the HPV Vaccine: A Guide to Giving a Strong Recommendation, was created to guide providers in these conversation and share valuable information about HPV risks and vaccination options. 

Read more about the opportunity that health care professionals – from the doctor's office to the school nurse – have to improve HPV vaccine uptake: Exploring Avenues and Opportunities to Address HPV Vaccine Education to Improve Women’s Health .
Autoimmune Policy Webinar Series Begins
Mark your calendars for SWHR's latest webinar series, exploring the challenges around and opportunities to improve autoimmune care for women and their families.

The recording for the first event, "The Growing National Burden of Autoimmune Diseases and the Role of Policy in Improving Outcomes" is now available on all SWHR channels. Watch it today to hear from experts with the Autoimmune Association and La Jolla Institute.
Register now for the next conversation about the impact of utilization management on autoimmune care, "Coverage and Access Issues Affecting Women Living with Autoimmune Diseases". This webinar will feature experts from the Arthritis Foundation and National Psoriasis Foundation and take place on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Are you living with an autoimmune disease? Share your story with SWHR by visiting swhr.org/shareyourstory and you could help inform future autoimmune care policy.
Have you explored the SWHR Women's Health Dashboard?

The new SWHR Women’s Health Dashboard offers a platform to explore the latest national and state data on diseases and health conditions that have significant impacts on women’s health across the lifespan: Alzheimer’s Disease, Breast Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Depressive Disorders, and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). Check it out today!
UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the date for this autoimmune conversation on the impact of autoimmune diseases in women. Join us Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Follow the topic on social media at #SWHRtalksAutoimmune.

Join SWHR for the latest diagnostics conversation this year, about heart health and cardiovascular disease in women. Tune in on Monday, February 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m. ET to learn more. Follow the topic on social media at #SWHRtalksHeart.

Tune in for the final Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics webinar this spring on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Follow the topic on social media at #CAMT.
Check out SWHR's event calendar for more SWHR and other women's health events.
POLICY
SWHR Policy Updates

  • SWHR thanks Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for urging the HHS and CDC to add uterine cancer to the list of World Trade Center-related health conditions.
  • SWHR provided input to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on clinical research infrastructure and emergency clinical trials

Learn more about SWHR's policy work here.
Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics Webinar Series
Watch the latest event in the Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics (CAMT) webinar series, "Pregnant and Lactating Populations in Research: How Leaving These Populations Out Leaves Them Behind".

Save the date to join SWHR and CAMT on February 14, 2023 for the next pregnancy research conversation, featuring experts from the NIH, CDC, and FDA.
FORWH Women’s Health Research Day Reception

SWHR joined the Friends of the Office of Research on Women’s Health (FORWH) at a congressional reception in celebration of Women’s Health Research Day on January 25, which commemorates the implementation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Policy on Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in January 2016. SWHR President and CEO Katie Schubert spoke at the event, which honored ORWH Director Janine Clayton, MD, FARVO, for her myriad contributions to women’s health.
SWHR SNAPSHOTS
SWHR Chief Science Officer Dr. Irene Aninye (right) met with Dr. Anna Haseltine Chodos at the Pacific Center Symposium: Moving Toward Equity in Health Care, in January.
SWHR President and CEO Katie Schubert honored National Institutes of Health ORWH Director Dr. Janine Clayton for her contributions to women’s health at Women's Health Research Day event on January 25.
SWHR’s Science Team and some members of the HPV Vaccine Education Working Group gathered to produce an educational video series to promote cancer prevention, launching later this year.
WHAT IS SWHR READING?
On Cancer: "The only cancer that won’t get covered for women of 9/11" by The Fuller Project explores the previous gap in women's cancer care within the World Trade Center Health Program. SWHR Chief Science Officer Irene Aninye provided comments in this article. Features SWHR!
On Menopause: This Menopause in the Workplace Survey released by SRI International and Lisa Health is online and anonymous, to help researchers investigate menopause in the workplace. If you are a working woman between the ages of 40-65 years old, complete the survey here! Available in English and Spanish.

Get more tips for managing menopause in the workplace from the SWHR Menopause Preparedness Toolkit.
On Uterine Health: Did you know 70% of women will be diagnosed with uterine fibroids by the time they reach menopause? SWHR is excited to share that our Uterine Fibroids Toolkit is included in the new UterineHealthGuide.com, providing a one-stop channel for people seeking to improve literacy, awareness, and conversations around periods and uterine health. The UterineHealthGuide was developed by Pfizer and Myovant Sciences. Features SWHR!

On Women's Health: "Why Are Women's Health Concerns Dismissed So Often?" by NPR interviews women's health experts to better understand the current gender health gap and what can be done to address it. Learn more about the history of women's health research and how we got to where we are in this SWHR Timeline.

Have something you think SWHR should read? Reply to this email or tag us on social media with @SWHR to make sure we see it!
2022 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG

SWHR's Psoriatic Arthritis Working Group of advocates, researchers, and clinicians discussed how to improve outcomes for women. Read their takeaways for PsA care.

The fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending legislation includes several spending bills that will provide resources for advancing women's health. Read more funding highlights on the blog.

Esther Melvin shared her breast cancer diagnosis and care journey with SWHR, and how she found personalized care through cryoablation. Read her story today.

Experts in the SWHR Autoimmune Working Group agreed that improved education, awareness, and research will go a long way to support women living with autoimmune conditions. Read more on the blog here.

SWHR convened a Narcolepsy Working Group last year to better understand how support across the lifespan can improve the lives of women and girls with narcolepsy. Read highlights on the blog.

Women face increased risk for osteoporosis, but improvements in screening and prevention are possible, SWHR's Bone Health Working Group said. Learn about improving women's bone health on the blog.
Do you have a women's health to share? SWHR is seeking all types of stories about diagnoses, seeking care, and caregiving. Visit swhr.org/shareyourstory to learn more.

Read more of SWHR's recent blogs online here.
Did someone forward you this email? Looking for more news on women's health research?