Gynecologic oncologist Angeles Alvarez Secord, MD, MHSc, has been appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee that will work to assess National Institutes of Health (NIH) research on women's health. Dr. Secord participated in the Assessment of NIH Research on Women's Health Meeting in Washington, D.C. As a committee member, Dr. Secord will work on a study that aims to fill gaps in the understanding of women's health research across all NIH Institutes and centers. The study will analyze how much funding is allocated to research on conditions that affect women specifically or are more common among women, and how these conditions are defined across different stages of life, according to the NASEM website. The study will also assess sex differences and racial health disparities. Ultimately, the study will determine the funding needed to bridge gaps in women's health research at NIH.
"I am so excited and honored to participate on this important committee. The testimonials from patients, advocates and care providers humanize the strikingly negative impact that the research gaps have had on peoples' lives," said Dr. Alvarez Secord. "We have an opportunity to make a real difference. By understanding the research gaps we can provide recommendations to address these historic disparities, enhance career development, and prioritize funding."