Politics · United States · 17 hrs ago
Trump orders new NIH division and White House task force on women’s health
President Donald Trump signed an order creating new US women’s health bodies on October 19.
The order calls for a dedicated division at the National Institutes of Health and a White House task force.
The division will work alongside the NIH’s existing Office of Research on Women’s Health, not replace it.
The initiative aims to speed research and bring findings into care for women and girls across their lives, including for conditions that are understudied or affect women more often.
The task force will be co-led by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The NIH division must be established within 90 days, while the task force was due to hold its first meeting on October 19.
The order sets no specific funding target, and critics have questioned how the effort will work amid cuts to federal health research and staffing.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a women’s health division within the National Institutes of Health and a White House task force.
The division must be established within 90 days and will work alongside the NIH’s existing Office of Research on Women’s Health.
The initiative aims to expand research, improve diagnosis and treatment, and bring discoveries into clinical care across women’s lives.
First Lady Melania Trump, who championed the initiative, said it marked “a transformative moment” for women’s health.
The order sets no specific funding targets, amid concerns about cuts to federal health agencies and research.
- Who
- President Donald Trump signed the order, with First Lady Melania Trump promoting the initiative. The task force will be co-chaired by Susie Wiles and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- What
- The order creates a women’s health division at the NIH and a White House task force.
- When
- October 19, 2026.
- Where
- The signing ceremony was held at the White House in Washington.
- Why
- The initiative aims to address gaps in women’s health research and improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and access to care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A memorandum created a White House initiative on women’s health under the Biden administration.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order advancing women’s health research.
The Health and Human Services Department moved to terminate regional contracts for the Women’s Health Initiative, prompting condemnation and a multi-state lawsuit.
Trump signed the order, and said the task force would hold its first meeting that day.
- NIH division deadline
- Within 90 days
- Existing NIH office
- Office of Research on Women’s Health, established in 1990
- Task force co-chairs
- Susie Wiles and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Funding specified in order
- No specific targets or dollar amounts
- Task force first meeting
- October 19, 2026
8 sources
Trump establishes new women's health divisions
Trump signs order launching women's health division at NIH, White House
Trump Signs Order Aimed at Boosting Women's Health Research
Трамп с шуткой предложил своей жене подписать указ о здоровье женщин
‘Neither party… has gotten it right": Women’s health advocate reacts to White House’s latest initiative at NIH
Trump signs order creating NIH division, task force for women’s health
Trump'tan kadın sağlığı araştırmalarını güçlendirecek kararname
Trump signs executive order on women's health
What people are saying
This is a transformative moment for women in America. Beginning today, we will change the reality of women’s health
ensure that medical breakthroughs are accessible and affordable to women, regardless of their financial circumstances
Who the hell wouldn’t have a woman’s health division? Melania said they don’t have it.
Neither party... has gotten it right