Jill Biden announces $500 million women’s health plan at CGI

Jill Biden announced a significant $500 million government initiative focused on women's health during the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York. This funding will primarily be sourced from the Department of Defense, which serves over 230,000 active duty military women and nearly 2 million military retirees and their families. The initiative aims to investigate why military women experience certain health disorders at twice the rate of men, addressing critical gaps in medical research. The new policy will ensure that women's health is integrated into all research funded by Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, which previously supported various health studies, including those on Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. This comprehensive approach marks a pivotal shift in how women's health issues are prioritized in medical research. The announcement coincided with the honoring of President Joe Biden with the 2024 Clinton Global Citizen Award, highlighting the administration's commitment to addressing pressing health concerns. Former President Bill Clinton emphasized the importance of taking action rather than viewing challenges as insurmountable. In addition to the health initiative, the meeting also featured a coalition of nonprofits and humanitarian organizations pledging support for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, showcasing the collaborative efforts to tackle global issues. This coalition aims to raise funds for local aid groups, emphasizing the urgent need for support amid ongoing conflict and displacement in the region.