Women’s health and diseases

Research plays a key role in advancing both gender equality and women’s health. On behalf of the Swedish Government, Forte and the Swedish Research Council are carrying out a research initiative focused on women’s health and diseases.

There is a great need for research into diseases and health conditions that are more common among women, as well as into maternal health and maternity care. By building strong, sustainable research environments, knowledge about women’s health can be improved over time.

What kind of research is needed?

Research into women’s health has traditionally focused on the reproductive phase of life. However, conditions, needs and opportunities can vary across different life stages. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen research from a life-course perspective – that is, research that addresses women’s health and diseases throughout the various stages of life, from childhood to old age.

Since not all women share the same living conditions or opportunities for good health, more research is also needed to understand inequalities in health and living conditions – and how these can be addressed.

There are many research needs, but Forte has chosen to focus on two main areas:

• Diseases and health conditions that are unique to, or more common among, women
• Maternal health and equitable maternity care, including postnatal care

What is the aim of the initiative?

The goal is to promote greater gender equality in health and healthcare by increasing knowledge of women’s health and diseases. The initiative also aims to build strong research environments and create platforms to disseminate and make use of research results. It will also promote collaboration and communication between funders, researchers, relevant public authorities, and other users of research findings.