• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Susan Dell is the one running the Dells’ $10 billion giving operation—and her biggest bets are on kids, health care, and UT Austin

2

Melinda French Gates has a 48-hour rule for criticizing employees. The billionaire philanthropist says it’s because ‘being clear is kind’

3

Europe sent its gold to the U.S. for safekeeping during World War II. Central banks are now reshuffling their reserves for a new era of uncertainty

1

Susan Dell is the one running the Dells’ $10 billion giving operation—and her biggest bets are on kids, health care, and UT Austin

2

Melinda French Gates has a 48-hour rule for criticizing employees. The billionaire philanthropist says it’s because ‘being clear is kind’

3

Europe sent its gold to the U.S. for safekeeping during World War II. Central banks are now reshuffling their reserves for a new era of uncertainty
MPWHealth

Trump plans new women’s health research division at NIH after push from first lady Melania Trump

By
Bill Barrow
Bill Barrow
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Bill Barrow
Bill Barrow
and
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 19, 2026, 1:13 PM ET
United States first lady Melania Trump speaks at her Fostering the Future Together event during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in New York.
First lady Melania Trump helped shape a new women's health research initiative that would establish an NIH division and White House task force.Cristina Matuozzi/AP Photo
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at bolstering federal research on women’s health, a move pushed by first lady Melania Trump, the White House confirmed on Monday.

Recommended Video

The order, first reported by USA Today, will create a new women’s health division at the National Institutes of Health and a task force at the White House focused on the issue.

Melania Trump is expected to speak about prioritizing research and easing taboos around discussions of women’s health issues during a signing ceremony on Monday, the White House said.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who recently completed treatment for breast cancer, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the White House task force. The order does not include specific funding goals.

The initiative comes after a series of meetings the first lady had with federal health officials. “It was abundantly clear that women’s healthcare needs to be modernized, the research gap closed, and further, the need to accelerate the discovery of treatments and cures was glaring,” Melania Trump said in a statement.

According to the White House, the order calls for targeting maternal health, mental health and endometriosis. It also will mention other health concerns and diseases, including Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke.

Melania Trump said she helped shape the order and the task force in consultation with physicians, White House officials, Kennedy and the Republican president. The initiative adds a new dimension to her policy portfolio as first lady.

In Donald Trump’s second term, the first lady has focused on improving foster care systems and expanding technology and artificial-intelligence access in education. In Trump’s first presidency, the first lady’s signature initiative, Be Best, focused on child well-being, safe social media use and reducing drug abuse.

Fortune Daily breaks the traditional barrier between audience and newsroom. The show transforms Fortune’s trusted reporting into actionable, conversational, and entertaining insights for an emerging class of business leaders. Watch here.
About the Authors
By Bill Barrow
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By The Associated Press
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in MPW


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Recommended For You

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.