Women’s Health — Traversing Medicine and Public Policy

This Perspective article reviews 50 years of progress in women’s health, highlighting milestones in reproductive rights, chronic disease management, and sex specific medical research. Key advances include the legalization of contraception and abortion (Eisenstadt v. Baird, 1972; Roe v. Wade, 1973), reductions in cervical cancer mortality through HPV vaccination, and insights from landmark studies like the Women’s Health Initiative. Despite progress, challenges persist, such as rising maternal mortality (disproportionately affecting Black women) and gaps in cardiovascular care for women. The article underscores the importance of addressing intersectional disparities (e.g., race, gender identity) and calls for tailored, evidence based approaches to advance women’s health across the life course.

This Perspective article reviews 50 years of progress in women’s health, highlighting milestones in reproductive rights, chronic disease management, and sex specific medical research. Key advances include the legalization of contraception and abortion (Eisenstadt v. Baird, 1972; Roe v. Wade, 1973), reductions in cervical cancer mortality through HPV vaccination, and insights from landmark studies like the Women’s Health Initiative. Despite progress, challenges persist, such as rising maternal mortality (disproportionately affecting Black women) and gaps in cardiovascular care for women. The article underscores the importance of addressing intersectional disparities (e.g., race, gender identity) and calls for tailored, evidence based approaches to advance women’s health across the life course.