Women’s Health Research

Inclusion of people who could become pregnant, who could have become pregnant, who are lactating, or who identify as women in research studies is necessary for valid inferences about health and disease in women.

Our Position

As a standing member of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and a founding member of the Coalition to Advance Maternal Therapeutics, ACOG is at the forefront of efforts to advance women’s health research.

ACOG advocates for:

• Increased federal funding for women’s health research across the lifespan, including increased investment in research on gynecologic conditions

• Increased representation of women and those who seek obstetric and gynecologic care in research – from basic science research to post-market trials

• the equitable inclusion in research and clinical trials of pregnant people and lactating people

In addition, ACOG advocates for funding for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, including to advance breast and ovarian cancer research.