Black Legislators Champion Bipartisan Initiative to Enhance Women’s Health Research

Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) recently hosted a roundtable on women’s health at the Capitol. The event focused on uterine fibroids, a health issue that often gets overlooked in research. It featured well-known figures like actresses Lupita Nyong’o and Mandy Moore, along with lawmakers including Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Robin Kelly, and Shontel Brown.

For nearly 90 minutes, these advocates discussed the pressing need for more attention on women’s health, especially concerning uterine fibroids, which particularly affect women of color. They spotlighted the U-FIGHT Act, co-authored by Alsobrooks and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.). This legislation aims to improve access to screening and treatment for uterine fibroids and related conditions.

Senator Alsobrooks highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding women’s health. “About 80 percent of women will have fibroids in their lifetime, yet only 0.03 percent of research funding is allocated to studying them,” she said, adding that women represent 51 percent of the U.S. population but only receive 8 percent of NIH research funding.

Rep. Shontel Brown, who introduced the House version of the U-FIGHT Act, emphasized the urgency of this issue. “With women making up half the population, the resources available for our health are severely lacking,” she pointed out. Brown also mentioned the financial strain of dealing with health problems rather than investing in prevention and research.

Pressley shared her personal experience, recalling her struggles with fibroids while serving as a city councilor. “I once sat atop garbage bags during a hearing due to heavy blood flow from fibroids,” she said, discussing the stigma surrounding this condition.

Recent studies show that uterine fibroids can lead to complications such as infertility and chronic pain. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, medical expenses related to fibroids can amount to billions of dollars annually. Investing in prevention and research rather than treatment could significantly reduce healthcare costs.

The discussion highlighted the importance of diverse voices in health research and the need to raise awareness of women’s health issues. This event reflects a growing trend where public figures are using their platforms to advocate for women’s health. Celebrities are increasingly taking part in conversations about health research, thereby normalizing discussions around conditions like fibroids.

Alsobrooks ended the roundtable by thanking Nyong’o and Moore for their support and reaffirmed her commitment to pushing the U-FIGHT Act forward. She stressed the importance of ending the suffering caused by uterine fibroids and the need for immediate action.

For more information on women’s health initiatives, you can visit the National Institutes of Health website.

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