Trump Signs Order Creating New Women's Health Division
The executive order establishes a White House task force and a new division at the National Institutes of Health.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Women’s Health
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a new division at the National Institutes of Health and a coordinating White House task force focused on women's health. The initiative, which revokes a 2024 order by former President Biden, aims to expand research and treatment for women across all life stages.
Why it matters
The order establishes a comprehensive federal approach to addressing health conditions uniquely impacting women. By prioritizing research into areas like cardiovascular disease and endometriosis, the administration aims to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health is mandated to establish the new division within 90 days. Research priorities for the initiative include cardiovascular conditions, cancer, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, and reproductive health.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
Susie Wiles
Susie Wiles serves as the chief of staff for the current administration.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the Health Secretary for the current administration.
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health is the primary federal agency responsible for biomedical and public health research.
The details
Led by chief of staff Susie Wiles and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new White House task force will coordinate with the existing Office of Research on Women's Health to streamline efforts. The directive specifically targets advancements in chronic conditions including Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, and PCOS.
Timeline
In 2024, former President Biden signed a previous executive order on women's health research.
On October 19, 2026, President Donald Trump signed the new executive order.
The NIH is required to establish the new division by January 2027.
Health Landscape
This directive shifts the federal strategy for women's health research by revoking the 2024 executive order on women's health research signed by former President Biden. The move redefines the administrative focus and leadership structure for medical priorities impacting women's health.
This order could eventually lead to expanded clinical research and new treatment options for conditions such as endometriosis and menopause. Patients may see a shift in focus toward more targeted healthcare diagnostics and improved medical resources for chronic conditions.
The takeaway
This executive action centralizes women's health research under a new task force and NIH division to address systemic gaps in medical data. Patients and researchers can anticipate a more defined federal agenda regarding chronic conditions and reproductive health over the coming months.
What happens next
The National Institutes of Health is scheduled to formally establish the new division by January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and initiatives in United States Women’s Health.
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