19th January 2026

Wales launches first centre for women’s health research to tackle inequalities

This article originally featured on Health and Care Research Wales.

Women across Wales will benefit from groundbreaking research and innovation designed to eliminate health inequalities at Wales’ first centre for women’s health research, funded by Health and Care Research Wales.

To mark the first anniversary of the landmark Women’s Health Plan for Wales, First Minister Eluned Morgan and Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy celebrated the opening of the new £3m centre by meeting staff, researchers and collaborating community partners.

Led by Women’s Health Research Wales, the centre aims to strengthen investment in women’s health research, including improving women’s representation in clinical trials.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The centre is more than a facility; it is a statement of intent to transform women’s healthcare in Wales. It reflects Wales’ determination to ensure that women are listened to, their experiences taken seriously and historic inequities in research and services finally addressed.

“The Welsh Government is committed to funding and supporting women’s health research, driving ambitious leadership and fostering collaboration across the nation.

“This work is life-changing and life-saving, and it also challenges social and cultural taboos, encouraging open conversations about the barriers women face every day. This centre puts women’s health at the heart of research, policy and care, and represents our hope for a fairer, healthier future for all women in Wales.”

Speaking at the event, Professor Jacky Boivin, Director of Women’s Health Research Wales, said that women’s health and women’s health research have historically been treated as secondary within research centres, rarely forming their primary purpose or vision.

She highlighted the scale of deep-rooted inequality, noting that women with conditions such as type 1 diabetes face a 200% higher risk of a fatal or non-fatal heart attack, yet remain under-represented in clinical trials. As a result, women’s experiences, appropriate dosages and outcomes are often absent from the clinical guidelines that determine practice.

Professor Boivin said: The centre marks a decisive turning point, with women’s voices now placed at the heart of this research infrastructure.

“Investment in women’s health delivers almost £11 return for every £1 invested. Since April 2025, more than £1.5 million has been awarded across five grants to projects involving the Centre, with further funding under review, alongside wide-ranging engagement with communities, industry, policymakers and international partners.

“Looking ahead, the centre will expand women’s health research beyond reproduction, drive innovation designed specifically for women and build pan-Wales and global collaborations to tackle health inequalities across the life course.”

The centre brings together researchers, NHS partners, industry, policymakers and communities to develop more effective treatments and ensure health services meet women’s needs throughout their lives.

Its work spans prevention, early-onset conditions, rare diseases and care for under-served communities. Projects in development include exploring symptom-reporting tools to support the management of conditions such as diabetes, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — all have lacked focused research into the specific impact on women.

Keep up to date with the work of Women’s Health Research Wales by signing up to Health and Care Research Wales’ newsletter now.