Women’s Health Legislation | RealClearHealth
TL/DR –
The organization HealthyWomen recently hosted a discussion on women’s health and the innovations that could potentially revolutionize it. They discussed the impact that genetically targeted technologies (GTTs) could have on conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as heart disease, and on other conditions like autoimmune disorders and rare diseases, which also affect women predominantly. The Maintaining Investments in New Innovation (MINI) Act, a legislation introduced in March, could ensure access to GTT treatments for women and this could improve the lives of millions of women.
HealthyWomen Kickstarts Capitol Conversations, Discusses Women’s Health
HealthyWomen commenced its Capitol Conversations series on April 8. These breakfast briefings for Congressional staff and patient health advocates focus on women’s health topics and innovations, the impact of genetically targeted technologies, and patient experiences. The series also includes discussion on healthcare legislation such as the Maintaining Investments in New Innovation (MINI) Act.
Challenging Discrimination in Research
In 1977, the FDA barred women “of childbearing potential” from clinical trials, which biased our understanding of diseases and treatments towards men. However, this changed in 1993 when Congress mandated the inclusion of women in all clinical research.
Transformative Potential of the MINI Act
The MINI Act, introduced in March, aims to ensure access to therapies created with Genetically Targeted Technology (GTT). GTT could revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that disproportionately affect women, such as heart disease, the leading cause of death for women according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Major Benefits for Women’s Health
The MINI Act has the potential to improve technology that identifies and treats women with a higher predisposition to conditions like coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke. This could be particularly beneficial to Black women. GTTs also hold promise for future treatments of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a major factor contributing to limb loss.
Empowering Women Through Healthcare Access
In addition to treating diseases, GTT can enhance healthcare access, which is a larger barrier for American women than men. GTT treatments, often administered in less frequent injections over the year, could ease the burden on patients and caregivers, who are predominantly women. This could greatly benefit people in rural communities where access to care can be difficult.
Stakeholder Support for the MINI Act
The MINI Act, supported by healthcare organizations like the Family Heart Foundation and the Amputee Coalition, can drastically improve women’s healthcare. Achievement in women’s health requires collaboration among experts, strategists, and community partners at both national and state levels.
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