Mountain State Times

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and actress Halle Berry hosted a roundtable discussion on the Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing federal research on menopause and coordinating existing federal programs related to menopause and mid-life women’s health. The event included participation from 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 stated. “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 aims to bolster federal research on menopause, enhance healthcare workforce training, increase awareness and education efforts, and promote public health initiatives to better address menopause and mid-life women’s health issues.

Currently, 75 million women in the U.S. are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause—with 6,000 more reaching menopause each day. Despite half of the U.S. population eventually experiencing menopause, research in this area has been underfunded and overlooked. There are few federally funded clinical trials on menopause and menopausal hormone therapy. Additionally, only 30% of U.S. residency programs offer a formal menopause curriculum according to a recent survey, with 80% of OB-GYN residents admitting they feel 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.

Before the roundtable discussion, 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. More details and photos from that visit can be found by clicking HERE.

Photos from today’s event include:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Halle Berry convene leaders from across West Virginia for a menopause roundtable discussion at the Kanawha County Public Library in Charleston, W.Va., on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Halle Berry speak to leaders from across West Virginia at a menopause roundtable discussion at the Kanawha County Public Library in Charleston, W.Va., on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Halle Berry pictured with leaders from across West Virginia at a menopause roundtable discussion at the Kanawha County Public Library in Charleston, W.Va., on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.