First lady Jill Biden announces that the Department of Defense has allocated $500 million for women’s health annually. Screen capture courtesy of Clinton Global Initiative/YouTube
First lady Jill Biden has announced that the Pentagon is committing more than $500 million annually for research into women’s health, as the Biden administration has prioritized improving the lives of women.
Biden announced the investment Monday during a Clinton Global Initiative talk alongside Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, in New York City. Advertisement
“It’s a big deal. And it’s about time,” Biden said as she announced the funding. “We’re going to get moving on this.”
She explained that the money will go toward studying arthritis, chronic fatigue and cardiovascular health.
A statement from the Department of Defense says that the half-billion-dollar investment for women’s health research will primarily come through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, a Department of Defense program that receives funding for specific biomedical research.
It said investing in women’s health research is “critical” to meeting the healthcare needs of the more than 230,000 active-duty servicewomen and nearly 2 million women military retirees. Advertisement
Biden said the research will improve the health of women in the military service, “which then transcends to all women.”
“So, I’m so excited about that,” she added.
In addition to the funding, the Pentagon announced it will adopt a new research policy to ensure that women’s health is considered during every step of CDMRP research starting Oct. 1.
It also stated that the Department of Defense will standardize health research opportunities to encourage applicants to consider research on health areas that affect women, and will commit to increasing investments in innovators and small businesses that engage in research and development on women’s health.
“Investing in women’s health research and evidence-based care is critical to meeting the healthcare needs of the women served by DoD,” the Pentagon said.
The move comes as the Biden administration has made improving women’s health a part of its platform. In February, the first lady announced the launch of the first-ever “Spring for Women’s Health Initiative,” which included $100 million for research into women’s health.
In March, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to advance women’s health research, close health disparities and ensure advances made in laboratories translate real-world clinical benefits for women. Advertisement
“Investing in women’s health research and evidence-based care is critical to meeting the health care needs of the women served by DoD,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said in a statement on X on Monday.
“These new announcements build on recent work that DoD has already done to advance women’s health research and take care of our people.”
