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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) thanks the National Academies Committee for its assessing the state of federally funded research to advance the health of women in the United States. We also thank Congress for providing the funds for this report and for their support of women’s health research, which is crucial for improving the health and well-being of women across our nation. The report highlights and raises awareness of the critical need for such research.

While the report provides thoughtful recommendations on how NIH can expand its research efforts, it does not acknowledge the full breadth of NIH’s extensive work on women’s health research. It omits the key congressional language that establishes the study of gynecological and pregnancy-related conditions ar Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and it understates the significance of ongoing women’s health initiatives supported by NICHD and other Â鶹´«Ã½ institutes.

Â鶹´«Ã½ is proud of its research accomplishments in women’s health, such as funding that led to the development of elagolix (Orilissa®), the first approved treatment of endometriosis-related pain in the United States. NIH recognizes that there is more work to do and remains committed to supporting advancements toward understanding and treating conditions that primarily affect women, disproportionately affect women, or affect women differently. We appreciate the sustained collaboration among federal agencies, universities, companies and nonprofits to translate scientific findings into medical care.

Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D.
Director, National Institutes of Health