Melinda French Gates Urges Menopause Revolution as 1 in 3 U.S. Women Over 40 Face Severe Symptoms
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 4
Melinda French Gates Urges Menopause Revolution as 1 in 3 U.S. Women Over 40 Face Severe Symptoms
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 4
Summary
Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. women over 40 experiences severe menopause symptoms, and Melinda French Gates says the healthcare system often leaves them without diagnosis, treatment or a plan.
French Gates argues menopause care now resembles outdated childbirth practices once accepted as normal, with women enduring debilitating symptoms while lacking information, advocacy and effective medical support.
Symptoms she highlights include insomnia, aching joints, heart palpitations, memory problems and depression, which can disrupt daily life and work.
She also warns the hormonal changes tied to menopause raise risks of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and some cancers, framing the issue as a broad women’s health failure rather than a niche concern.
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How Melinda French Gates’ $590 Million Investment Is Revolutionizing Women’s Health and Menopause Research
Overview
Melinda French Gates is driving a major shift in women’s health by launching significant philanthropic investments in 2025 and 2026. Her efforts respond to the critical underfunding of women’s health research, which received only 5% of global R&D funding in 2020 and has mostly focused on fertility and cancers, leaving many conditions neglected. By closing these investment gaps, there is potential to boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040. Gates’ funding aims to address chronic health issues that sideline women, leading to lost productivity and creativity, and to spark breakthroughs that benefit women worldwide.