The state of women's health in 2025 remains a complex and urgent issue, with recent policy changes impacting access to essential healthcare services. The “Women at the Crossroads – Health, Rights, and Policy in 2025” online seminar, recently hosted by our partner the Gwen Lily Research Foundation, brought together leading voices in health, research, and advocacy to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in women's healthcare. From maternal health to mental wellness, the conversation underscored the pressing need for community-driven solutions and systemic reforms.
The Current Landscape of Women's Health
Women continue to face significant health disparities, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities. Maternal mortality rates remain disproportionately high for Black and Indigenous women, a crisis exacerbated by structural barriers such as implicit bias in medical settings, limited healthcare access, and policy rollbacks that restrict reproductive care. Furthermore, mental health challenges among women, especially those juggling caregiving responsibilities and economic hardships, require targeted interventions that integrate behavioral health services into primary care.
Key Health Strategies for Better Outcomes
During the panel, experts emphasized several critical areas for improvement:
Maternal and Reproductive Health – Expanding access to midwifery and doula services, ensuring culturally competent care, and advocating for Medicaid extensions for postpartum women.
Mental Health and Wellness – Increasing investment in mental health services for women, with a focus on trauma-informed care and accessible telehealth options.
Preventative Care and Education – Empowering communities with information on preventive health measures, including cancer screenings, cardiovascular health, and nutrition.
How We Move Forward in Advancing Women’s Health
Phronetik, in partnership with the Gwen Lily Research Foundation, remain steadfastly committed to addressing these disparities by championing community-based healthcare models and partnering with organizations to deliver targeted health interventions. However, real progress requires collective action. We urge healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to collaborate in dismantling systemic barriers and promoting policies that prioritize women's health.
Healthcare policies have long shaped the accessibility and quality of care for women, and 2025 is proving to be a pivotal year. The Women at the Crossroads webinar, hosted by the Gwen Lily Research Foundation, highlighted the most pressing policy challenges affecting women’s health. Experts delved into legislative shifts, funding gaps, and the critical role of advocacy in ensuring that healthcare remains a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
Key Advocacy and Policy Solutions
To combat these policy setbacks, it’s important to emphasize the importance of sustained advocacy efforts and legislative reforms. Strategies discussed include:
Protecting Medicaid and Reproductive Rights – Advocating for state and federal policies that preserve Medicaid funding for maternal care and protect access to reproductive services.
Strengthening Research Equity – Ensuring continued inclusion of diverse populations in clinical trials and genomic research to address health disparities effectively.
Expanding Community-Based Care Models – Investing in healthcare delivery models that prioritize local clinics, telemedicine, and mobile health units to reach underserved populations.
Your Role in the Fight for Health Equity
The fight for women’s health is not just about policy; it’s about people. We need more efforts to safeguard access to essential health services through research, advocacy, and direct community engagement. However, Phronetik and Gwen Lily cannot do this alone. We need stakeholders from all sectors, including healthcare professionals, legislators, and community members to act.
How You Can Advocate for the Policies You Believe In
Advocating for policies that shape the future of healthcare, research, and social justice isn’t just for lobbyists or elected officials – it’s for everyday people who care about making a difference. Whether you are passionate about expanding access to healthcare, protecting research funding, or ensuring equity for underserved communities, your voice matters. One of the most effective ways to influence policy is by directly contacting your members of Congress – your Senators and Representatives – to share your concerns and urge action on key issues.
To get started, visit www.congress.gov/members to find your Senators and Representative, including their local and Washington, D.C. office addresses and phone numbers. You can call the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your legislator’s office. Many organizations also host letter-writing campaigns where you can send physical letters or emails to Congress. Additionally, participating in "Day on the Hill" events – when advocates visit Capitol Hill to meet directly with members of Congress and their staffers – can be a powerful way to make your voice heard.
If you’re unsure where to start, here’s a sample letter you can use to contact your Senator or Representative:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
The Honorable [Senator/Representative’s Name]
[Office Address]
Washington, D.C. [ZIP Code]
Subject: Urgent Need for [Policy Issue – e.g., Protecting Health Equity Research Funding]
Dear [Senator/Representative Last Name],
I am writing to urge your strong support for [specific bill, policy, or funding request]. As a [concerned citizen/healthcare provider/researcher/community advocate], I have seen firsthand the impact of [describe the issue – e.g., lack of funding for health equity research, barriers to healthcare access, etc.] Without urgent action, millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, will continue to face disproportionate health disparities.
I respectfully ask that you [specific request – e.g., vote in favor of a bill, introduce new legislation, protect existing policies]. The people you represent depend on leadership that prioritizes equity, access, and scientific progress. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this further with you or a member of your staff. Please let me know how I can help support your efforts to drive positive change.
Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our communities. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
How You Can Take Action to Advance Women’s Health Equity Today
The fight for women’s health equity is not just about identifying disparities; we need to take action to dismantle systemic barriers and create tangible, lasting change. From maternal health and preventative care to legislative advocacy and policy reform, we must use every tool at our disposal to ensure all women, regardless of race, income, or geography, have access to quality care. But this work cannot be done in silos. It requires collaboration between research institutions, healthcare providers, policymakers, and grassroots advocates to drive meaningful progress. As we work with organizations like the Gwen Lily Research Foundation, Phronetik is leading this charge by combining scientific innovation with community-driven engagement to close critical gaps in women’s health research and healthcare access.
As a biomedical research organization, we are uniquely positioned to advance precision medicine, inclusive clinical trials, and data-driven solutions that address the specific health challenges women face today. We are working to provide the necessary evidence and technological advancements to inform better policies, improve healthcare outcomes, and expand opportunities for marginalized communities.
But research alone isn’t enough; we need you in this fight. Your voice carries weight. Legislators listen when their constituents call, write, and show up. Take action today, because advocacy isn’t just about policies, it’s about people. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, advocate, policymaker, or concerned citizen, your voice and action matter. Please visit the Gwen Lily Research Foundation (www.gwenlily.org) to donate to their community engagement programs and join Phronetik in driving a future where women’s health equity is a reality, not just a goal. Take action, advocate, and be part of the change.
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