WHAM was established in 2020 to build the economic case for investing in the health of women. We produce data-driven reports and convene leaders across research, industry, government, and business to accelerate sex-based innovation that improves health outcomes and drives economic growth.
Why It Matters
Women drive the majority of healthcare decisions, yet women’s health remains significantly undercapitalized across research, product development, and investment. Major gaps persist despite clear scientific evidence and economic opportunity.
- Less than 0.3% of philanthropic giving directly benefits women’s health
- Less than 10% of NIH research funding focuses on women’s health
- Only ~2% of healthcare VC is allocated to women’s health innovations
- Only 5% of global R&D funding is allocated to women’s health
- Working women in the U.S. spend billions more annually on healthcare and prescriptions than men
Our Initial Areas of Focus
Disease areas where sex-based biology significantly impacts outcomes:
Autoimmune Disease
80% of Americans with autoimmune disease are women — it is estimated that 50 million people are afflicted.
Brain Health
A woman’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is almost 2x that of a man, and not just because women live longer.
Cancer
Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer death in women. Non-smoking women more than 2x as likely as non-smoking men to get it.
Heart Health
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women in the US, yet only 1/3 of the participants in clinical trials are female.
THE WHAM REPORTS
A series of widely cited reports that quantify the costs of underinvestment in women’s health and demonstrate the benefits of increased research, innovation, and investing in companies focused on the health of women. The WHAM Report serves as a foundational resource for institutions, industry leaders, and decision-makers.
The WHAM EDGE AWARDS
Early-stage research grants pursuing innovative, sex-based research supporting breakthroughs at the point where future impact and value are created.
THE WHAM COLLABORATIVES
The WHAM Collaboratives were each created to address a key gap in the innovation pipeline—from discovery through development and deployment. Together, they form a fully integrated and high-performing ecosystem focused on diseases and conditions that disproportionately, differently, or exclusively affect women across the lifespan—aligning science, investment, and product innovation to transform health outcomes and unlock substantial economic returns.
OUR ROLE
As a nonprofit organization, WHAM serves as a connector and a catalyst—aligning credible data, expert leadership, and resources to accelerate lasting progress for the health of society.
HOW TO HELP
Through donations, partnerships and direct actions, you can help make a difference in the lives of millions of women and their families.
TAKE ACTION
Make a donation, join the community, or help us spread the word about WHAM and our work—every little bit helps, and we are deeply appreciative of your support.
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Donate to Women's Health Research
Women are 51% of the population but receive only a fraction of biomedical research funding. Sex differences are still often ignored, even in diseases that hit women hardest. Advancing sex-based research closes that gap, sparks innovation, and delivers more precise care for everyone. Support the future of health—for women, and for all.
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Donate to Autoimmune Disease Research
Four out of five Americans with autoimmune disease are women—40 million lives impacted—yet the science hasn’t kept up. In 2019, only 7 % of the NIH’s rheumatoid arthritis budget focused on women. Dedicated funding can pinpoint why women are so vulnerable and drive better diagnostics, therapies, and quality of life. Fuel research that will change lives.
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Donate to Brain Health Research
Women make up two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases and are twice as likely to suffer depression—yet we still don’t know why. Targeted, sex-specific studies can reveal the biological and clinical differences that unlock earlier diagnosis, smarter treatments, and healthier minds. Your gift drives that discovery.
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Donate to Cancer Research
Most cancer studies still default to male models, overlooking critical sex differences in how cancers start, spread, and respond to therapy. Lung cancer now kills more women than breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers combined, and rates are soaring among young, non-smoking women. Boosting sex-based cancer research will reveal why—and lead to breakthroughs in screening, care, and survival. Help us accelerate that work.
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Donate to Heart Health Research
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, but it remains underfunded, under-researched, and underdiagnosed. Nearly half of women over 20 have cardiovascular disease, pregnancy heart risks are widespread, and women are 50% more likely to die after a heart attack. Focused research can rewrite those odds—changing how heart disease is detected, treated, and prevented in women. Invest in saving women’s hearts.
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