Chair
Washington, D.C., Us
The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR ®) is a national non-profit based in Washington D.C. that is widely recognized as the thought-leader in promoting research on biological differences in disease and is dedicated to transforming women’s health through science, advocacy, and education.Founded in 1990 by a group of physicians, medical researchers and health advocates led by Dr. Florence Haseltine, SWHR aims to bring attention to the variety of diseases and conditions that disproportionately or predominately affect women. Thanks to SWHR’s efforts, women are now routinely included in most major medical research studies and scientists are considering sex as a variable in their research.Today, SWHR advocates for greater public and private funding for women’s health research and the study of biological differences that:- Affects the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease;- Encourages the appropriate inclusion of women and minorities in medical research studies;- Promotes the analysis of research data for biological and ethnic differences; and- Informs women, health care providers, and policy makers about contemporary women’s health issues through media outreach, congressional briefings, public education campaigns, conferences and special events.As a result of SWHR’s efforts, the study of sex differences has reached a wider audience with more women and minorities able to participate in clinical trials than ever before. During the past 25-plus years, SWHR has successfully increased federal funding for biologically-based research, won the passage of notable legislative changes and put women’s health at the forefront of research. In 2016, we continue to identify gaps in health care that still exist, target those differences, and help close the gaps.Crucial differences exist between women and men.We are closing the gap through science, advocacy and education.SWHR: Transforming Science