Trump issues message about National Women’s Health Week

President Donald Trump issued a statement Saturday regarding National Women’s Health Week in which he reiterated the importance of women and reconfirmed his administration’s commitment to support their well being.

“Women are integral members of our families and communities who can face unique healthcare challenges,” Trump said. “Whether breast cancer, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s, my Administration is committed to continue addressing women’s health through advancements in medical research, rapid reviews and approvals of new safe and effective therapies, and affordable treatments and care options.”

The president also mentioned how the opioid epidemic affects women.

“The ongoing opioid crisis is of particular concern for women. On average, 115 Americans die each day from opioid-related overdoses a factor that has contributed to the decrease in life expectancy over the past two years,” he said in the statement. “The crisis has hit women particularly hard in part because they are more likely to suffer from chronic pain conditions for which opioids are often prescribed. Since 1999, the rate of deaths among women from prescription opioid overdoses have increased 461 percent. Remarkably, more American women aged 15-35 lost their lives to accidental opioid overdose in 2016 than to all cancers combined.”

President Trump pointed out that HHS has developed a comprehensive strategy to battle the opioid crisis and that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published guidance for the treatment of pregnant women and new mothers with opioid use disorder.

Trump also highlighted his administration’s push for paid family leave.

“Recent research suggests that women’s labor force participation in the U.S. has stalled due to the lack of family-friendly policies, including paid leave,” he said. “There is a critical need to ensure that working mothers and fathers have access to paid family leave, which can support women’s participation in the labor force and promote greater financial stability for American families.”

Finally, the president mentioned an Executive Order in which he directed federal agencies to expand access to sports, fitness, and nutrition to women and girls especially those from economically challenged communities.