The National Institutes of Health awards over $44 million to expand landmark midlife women’s health study

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced that it has awarded $44,456,682 over 5 years across seven designated research sites to continue the Study of Women's Health Across the Nationopens in new window (swan).

APA member Rebecca Thurston, PhD, serves as a principal investigator leading the project's cardiovascular and brain health research at the University of Pittsburgh. For the first time in swan’s 30-year history, Thurston's team will integrate neuroimaging to examine the critical links between menopause symptoms, brain aging, and long-term stroke risk.

This landmark award follows dedicated advocacy by APA Services. Advocates have been working closely with Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon) to address the psychological and behavioral health needs of midlife women, and this collaborative effort directly aligns with the midlife and menopause health priorities championed under 2025 APA President Debra M. Kawahara, PhD.

To build momentum for legislative action, Representative Salinas led a congressional letter advocating for sustained NIH funding for SWANopens in new window. She also is an original cosponsor of the Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women's Health Act (S. 4503opens in new window / H.R. 9090opens in new window), which would expand federal research coordination and healthcare provider training.

These federal policy efforts build on foundational work by APA. In August, the association released comprehensive reports on women’s health during midlife and menopause including specific recommendations to improve access to and quality of medical and mental health care and an analysis of research gaps and recommendations.

APA Services will continue advocating for federal research investments to ensure midlife women receive the targeted health resources and clinical understanding they deserve.