Bill Summary
This resolution expresses support for the designation of a "Women's Health Research Day" and recognizes the importance of biomedical and clinical research for the health and well-being of women. It acknowledges that women experience diseases and disorders differently than men and that there are fundamental biological differences between men and women. The resolution also highlights the historical underrepresentation of women in biomedical and clinical research and supports efforts to increase awareness and advocate for sex- and gender-inclusive research for women of different races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status. This resolution also references a policy implemented by the National Institutes of Health in 2016, which requires federally funded investigators to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could lead to increased awareness and advocacy for sex- and gender-based biomedical research, potentially resulting in improved healthcare for women.
2. Women of different races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status could benefit from increased representation in biomedical and clinical research, leading to better understanding and treatment of diseases and disorders that affect them uniquely.
3. The policy requiring federally funded investigators to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research could result in a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the risks and benefits of medical therapies for women, potentially leading to more personalized and effective treatments.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 29 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 29
Expressing support for the designation of a ``Women's Health Research
Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25 (legislative day, January 24), 2019
Ms. Duckworth (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Ms. Hassan, Mr.
King, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Harris, Mr. Brown, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Van
Hollen, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Mr.
Bennet, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Feinstein, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Stabenow, and
Ms. Rosen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of a ``Women's Health Research
Day''.
Whereas women constitute 50.8 percent of people in the United States;
Whereas women of different races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status
experience many diseases and disorders differently than men experience
those diseases and disorders;
Whereas those different experiences are reflected in the incidence, prevalence,
symptomology, and severity of the disease or disorder;
Whereas the risks and benefits of medical therapies vary based on the race,
ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status of a woman;
Whereas women and men have fundamental biological differences;
Whereas, for many years, women of different races, ethnicities, ages, and
socioeconomic status were underrepresented in biomedical and clinical
research;
Whereas the improvement of the health of women relies on sex- and gender-based
biomedical and clinical research;
Whereas the promise of individualized medicine cannot be realized without sex-
and gender-based parity in research;
Whereas, on January 25, 2016, the National Institutes of Health implemented a
policy requiring federally funded investigators to consider sex as a
biological variable in preclinical research; and
Whereas that policy ushered in a new era of inclusivity and parity in research
relating to the health of women: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Senate--
(1) expresses support for the designation of a ``Women's
Health Research Day''; and
(2) supports efforts--
(A) to recognize the importance of biomedical and
clinical research to the health and well-being of
women;
(B) to increase awareness of the value of sex- and
gender-based biomedical research; and
(C) to encourage individuals, including researchers
and patients, to advocate on behalf of sex- and gender-
inclusive research for women of different races,
ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status.
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