CAN would like to commend President Biden for his Executive Order to promote federal funding for women’s health research—with a focus on diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women. One of the areas for increased research is women’s health after menopause and the diseases that are more prevalent in women in mid-life such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
Heart disease is one of the most common health problems affecting women after menopause. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, by the time women reach 70, their risk of heart disease is the same as men. They also have an increased risk of stroke. In addition, after menopause, the decreased levels of estrogen can lead to loss of bone mass and osteoporosis—which brings an increased risk of fractures.
Another aspect of the executive order is to increase the number of women included in clinical trials—where they have historically been underrepresented. By not including women in these trials, researchers don’t know how a new drug or device will affect women. Women are also at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis than men, yet there has not been much research to try to determine why this is the case.
To learn more about CAN's public policy priorities, go to: https://www.caregiveraction.org/legislation-and-public-policy