U.S. Sen. Capito, Halle Berry raise awareness of menopause challenges

West Virginia Press Association

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and actress, Halle Berry, on Aug. 14, hosted a roundtable discussion on the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act , bipartisan legislation that would boost federal research on menopause and would—for the first time—coordinate the federal government’s existing programs related to menopause and mid-life women’s health. The roundtable discussion included patients, medical providers, academics, and state officials from across West Virginia.

“Menopause is a fact of life for women and something we all deserve to know more about,” Senator Capito said. “Menopause can impact every aspect of a woman’s life—from their career to their relationships—and for too long, it has only been whispered about among our friends and health care providers. I’m thrilled to have Halle Berry join us in West Virginia to discuss this important issue that she has so fiercely advocated for through many efforts. Her voice, along with the expertise of the individuals we heard from at the roundtable, are so valuable as we work together to address the realities that women are facing every day.”

“Women have deserved more from our healthcare systems for far too long, but that’s about to change. I’m thrilled to be in West Virginia and am grateful for Senator Capito’s leadership on the bipartisan Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act . I look forward to working alongside her to get it over the finish line,” Halle Berry said.

The Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act , would strengthen and expand federal research on menopause, health care workforce training, awareness and education efforts, and public health promotion and prevention to better address menopause and mid-life women’s health issues.

75 million women are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause right now in the U.S.—with 6,000 more women reaching menopause each day. Despite the fact that half the population in the U.S. will eventually experience menopause, menopause research has long been underinvested in and overlooked . To date, there are few federally funded clinical trials on menopause and menopausal hormone therapy and very little menopause education for doctors—only 30% of U.S. residency programs offer a formal menopause curriculum according to a recent survey, and 80% of OB-GYN residents admit to being ill-prepared to discuss menopause.

A one-pager on the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act can be viewed HERE .

Full text of the legislation can be viewed HERE .

Prior to the roundtable, Senator Capito and Halle Berry visited Piedmont Elementary School where they discussed female empowerment with fifth grade students as part of Senator Capito’s Girls Rise Up program .

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