Health Minister launches €27.5 million strategy to improve women’s health research

Demissionary Health Minister Jansen on Friday launched the National Women’s Health Strategy (Nationale Strategie Vrouwengezondheid), a five-year strategy aimed at expanding knowledge about women’s health conditions and improving how that knowledge is shared throughout the Netherlands, NOS reports.

The plan will cost 27.5 million euros. Of that amount, 15 million euros is allocated to research into conditions that specifically affect women, while 12.5 million euros will fund studies related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Jansen emphasized that for decades, medical and scientific research has mainly been conducted based on the male body. The assumption was that results from studies in men could be applied to women as well. However, it is now known that diseases occurring in both men and women often present differently in women. Additionally, there are illnesses that primarily affect women, including endometriosis and pelvic disorders.

Jansen said expanding this knowledge is critical to improving women’s well-being and reducing societal costs. “Right now, it takes an average of seven to twelve years before endometriosis is diagnosed in women,” she said. Endometriosis involves tissue resembling the uterine lining growing outside the uterus.

“All those years that the diagnosis is not made, that woman experiences health complaints,” Jansen said. “And the costs lie in absenteeism, but also in health care costs because no appropriate care has been provided all those years.”

The government also wants to improve the sharing of information about women’s health. A nationwide network will be established, bringing together researchers, health care professionals, employers, patient associations, and insurers. They will collaborate on a public platform that will provide information about conditions affecting women. “Ultimately, the goal is that women can receive the right care,” Jansen said.