GAO Report: More to Be Done to Improve Inclusion of Women in NIH Clinical Research

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Representatives Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Lois Capps (D-CA), released a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluating the inclusion of women in clinical research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The report shows that while the NIH has made progress in including women in clinical research trials, there is still more work to do to improve reporting and analysis policies to further ensure women are being accurately represented.

"We know that diseases impact women differently and that women respond to treatments in different ways," said Congresswoman DeLauro, senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which includes the NIH. "Unfortunately, this GAO report clearly shows that the NIH is not doing enough to collect the critical data we need to properly treat women. I am glad the NIH has recognized they need to improve their efforts in this area and I will be monitoring their progress closely."

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