Melinda French Gates adds $215M to women’s health

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates has committed an additional $215 million to advance women’s health globally, with a significant portion dedicated to improving care and research for menopause and midlife health. The announcement, made on June 4, brings her total investment in women’s health through her organization Pivotal to $600 million over the past two years.

The new funding will support a range of initiatives, including expanding access to contraception and maternal care, and integrating mental health support into primary care systems, particularly in Africa. A central component is a $10 million donation to The Menopause Society to train healthcare providers and expand outreach in underserved areas. French Gates stated that menopause has long been treated as an invisible issue women are expected to manage quietly, without adequate information or support.

Medical experts say the investment addresses a critical gap. According to Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of The Menopause Society, the United States has about 6,000 counties with critically low access to clinicians competent in menopause care. She noted that most doctors, including many gynecologists, receive...