We’re still unpacking from last week’s State of the Union address by President Joe Biden, where he specifically named impact statements and invested in policy actions and promises with significant implications for women’s health in the United States. At the Black Women’s Health Imperative, we call on all our communities to hold our President and our policymakers accountable to these commitments as we prepare for the urgency of the upcoming November elections. In his address, President Biden declared unequivocally his intent to “restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again” if voters elect a Congress that supports reproductive freedom. By reframing this issue through the lens of “reproductive freedom” and the “freedom to choose,” rather than using the clinical term “abortion,” the President recognized the profoundly personal nature of these decisions over one’s body, family, and healthcare – the fundamental principles of reproductive justice that lie at the core of our movement. President Biden put a human face on the real-world consequences of restricting this freedom by highlighting the ordeals of women like Katie Cox in Texas, who faced a ban on abortion, and Latorya Beasley in Alabama, whose embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization was suddenly canceled due to the state’s Supreme Court decision. These stories underscore the urgency of protecting and expanding reproductive rights nationwide. Crucially, the President prioritized the women’s health research agenda, applauding the groundbreaking work led by the First Lady’s White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research – Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) “Sprint for Women’s Health” initiative. This vital initiative aims to propel a $100 million investment in research and technologies that can enhance access, screening, and therapies for diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact women’s health across the spectrum – from cardiovascular illness and cancers to chronic diseases. The administration’s unprecedented investment commits to an inclusive, equity-driven approach, recognizing the diversity of women’s experiences. As our CEO Linda Goler Blount, MPH, passionately stated during her participation in the initiative’s pivotal Atlanta roundtable with the First Lady: “I’m particularly excited about the emphasis on representative research and programs that center women’s lived experiences. This ensures findings accurately reflect the diverse realities of women, leading to more effective solutions and improved health outcomes.” Blount’s closing remarks resonated as a powerful reminder of the mission at hand: ‘Too much research has treated women like female versions of men, and that’s not who we are.’ Her words encapsulated the essence of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, emphasizing the importance of addressing the unique needs of women in research endeavors. We at BWHI were pleased to see advancing women’s health prioritized in the President’s State of the Union address. The solutions to pervasive disparities in health outcomes exist, but they must be articulated through policy priorities and brought to a national scale through enduring political commitment. With these promises on record, there is an urgency to remain vigilant in holding our elected leaders accountable to translate these words into meaningful actions that tangibly improve women’s lives nationwide. As we approach the pivotal November elections, BWHI will continue our vital advocacy work – uplifting Black women’s voices, championing research relevance, and propelling systemic changes to secure an equitable future for all. As we celebrate the progress represented by the President’s words, we must also recognize that the true measure of success will be in implementing these promises and the lasting impact they have on the well-being of women in all their diversity. We remain committed to this mission and stand ready to work with the administration, policymakers, and our partners in the healthcare and research communities to turn these promises into a reality that uplifts and empowers women, particularly Black women, across the nation. BWHI Response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on Women’s Health
