U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and actress Halle Berry led a roundtable discussion Wednesday in West Virginia about the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing federal research on menopause and coordinating government programs addressing the health of women in mid-life.
The event brought together patients, medical professionals, academics, and state officials to talk openly about this pivotal health issue.
“Menopause affects every facet of a woman’s life, from her career to her personal relationships, and for too long, it’s been a topic only quietly discussed,” Senator Capito stated. “I’m excited to have Halle Berry with us to shed light on this vital issue. Her advocacy and the insights from today’s discussions are crucial as we tackle the daily realities women face.”
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Halle Berry expressed her enthusiasm for the legislative efforts: “Women have long deserved better support from our healthcare systems. I’m honored to be here in West Virginia and appreciate Senator Capito’s leadership on this important act. I’m eager to help push this initiative forward.”
The Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act proposes to intensify and broaden research into menopause, enhance training for the healthcare workforce, and increase awareness and educational efforts. It also aims to promote public health measures to better address the needs of women experiencing menopause.
In the U.S., 75 million women are currently in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause stages, with 6,000 women entering menopause each day.
Despite half of the U.S. population eventually undergoing menopause, research and educational efforts in this area have been significantly lacking. Currently, only 30% of U.S. medical residency programs have a formal curriculum on menopause, and 80% of OB-GYN residents feel unprepared to discuss it, highlighting a gap that this legislation seeks to fill.
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