Trump Order Creates an NIH Women’s Health Division and a Task Force, but Brings No New Money

October 20, 2026

The order says many conditions that “disproportionately or uniquely affect women” have not received the research and clinical attention other conditions have. It directs the HHS Secretary, through the NIH Director, to “establish a Women’s Health Division within an appropriate institute or center within 90 days.” It creates a White House Women’s Health Task Force co-chaired by the HHS Secretary and the White House Chief of Staff. It revokes Executive Order 14120 of March 18, 2024, and the Presidential Memorandum of November 13, 2023, which set up the previous administration’s women’s health research initiative.

Sources

• The White House, “Advancing Women’s Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life” (Executive Order, October 19, 2026): https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/10/advancing-womens-health-to-improve-outcomes-in-all-phases-of-life