Foundation launches initiative to advance women’s health in midlife

The US National Menopause Foundation has launched the Women’s Midlife Health Policy Institute (WMHPI) in an effort to improve research, education and policies related to women’s health in midlife.

In the US almost one and a half million women become menopausal each year. By the year 2025, the number of postmenopausal women worldwide is expected to surpass one billion.

Symptoms, which may include hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, memory loss and genitourinary problems, have a significant impact on women’s quality of life and career growth.

A recent Mayo Clinic study found that 15 per cent of women cut back on hours or missed work entirely due to their symptoms, costing them about US$1.8bn a year in lost wages.

“Despite the prevalence and impact of menopause, there is a lack of research, education and resources dedicated to addressing menopause-related health issues and many women feel underserved and unsupported in navigating this life stage,” said Claire Gill, founder and president of the National Menopause Foundation.

According to the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which began in 1994, there are racial and ethnic differences with respect to menopausal symptoms and risk for diseases that impact women at a higher rate postmenopausal.

Black women are more likely to report heavy bleeding, have hysterectomies and have higher rates of vasomotor symptoms, known as hot flashes.

Hispanic women develop metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression and VMS while non-Hispanic Caucasian women have the greatest incident of low bone density.

The WMHPI aims to bring together women’s health advocacy stakeholders, thought leaders and clinicians to “uncover” opportunities for a shared policy agenda and action plan.

The institute is planning to create a white paper sharing focus and need areas to advance women’s health in midlife.

Gill, National Menopause Foundation president, said: “The WMHPI will coordinate a collective policy agenda that amplifies the needs of women at midlife and targets united action among stakeholders to inspire policy that can have a systemic impact on improving women’s health.”