A resolution expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as "World Menopause Awareness Month," and expressing the sense of the Senate regarding global awareness and access to care during the menopausal transition and post-menopause.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 480
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-30: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S7852-7853)
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-02T16:34:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 480) expresses support for designating October 2025 as "World Menopause Awareness Month." It highlights the global and national need for greater awareness of menopause—a natural phase marking the end of menstrual cycles, typically around age 50—and improved access to health information and care during the menopausal transition (perimenopause) and post-menopause. The resolution aims to recognize menopause's effects on women's health, daily life, and the economy while urging actions to support affected women.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes several "Whereas" clauses providing background on menopause, such as:
- World Menopause Day on October 18 promotes advocacy for awareness and health support.
- By 2030, the global population of menopausal and post-menopausal women is projected to reach 1.2 billion, with 27 million new cases annually in the U.S.
- Common symptoms include hot flashes (affecting up to 75% of women), memory issues, urinary problems, depression, and anxiety, which can last 7–9 years or longer and severely impact quality of life.
- Black and Hispanic women often experience earlier onset, more intense, and prolonged symptoms.
- Up to 40% of women report work interference from symptoms, leading to lost productivity (estimated at $1.8 billion annually in the U.S.) and workforce exits for nearly 20%.
- Effective treatments exist, including non-hormonal medications, hormone therapy, and low-dose antidepressants.
- Menopause raises risks for osteoporosis (bone weakening), heart disease, and stroke, with a need for more research.
The core "Resolved" section states the Senate's sense to:
- Support the "World Menopause Awareness Month" designation.
- Acknowledge menopause's individual, societal, health, and economic impacts.
- Promote menopause training in health worker education programs.
- Ensure women have access to health information and services for healthy aging.
- Encourage the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary of Defense (DoD), and Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to:
- Provide menopause information, screening tools, and treatment options to women, patients, and providers to improve health outcomes.
- Conduct further research on menopause and clinical treatments.
- Update existing resources on managing menopause.
- Request transmission of the resolution to the HHS Secretary.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution expressing the Senate's opinion and recommendations, so it introduces no enforceable changes to existing laws or regulations. It does not create new mandates but urges voluntary actions by federal agencies.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Could increase public awareness of menopause symptoms and treatments, empowering women (especially underserved groups like Black and Hispanic women) to seek care, potentially improving quality of life, reducing workforce disruptions, and addressing health risks like heart disease.
- On government agencies: Prompts HHS, DoD, and VA to enhance resources, research, and education on menopause, which may lead to updated guidelines and tools without requiring new funding or authority.
- On international relations: Supports global awareness efforts (e.g., World Menopause Day), potentially aligning U.S. policy with international health advocacy, though impacts are symbolic.
- Broader societal effects include economic benefits from reduced lost productivity and healthier aging populations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Women in menopause or post-menopause: Primary beneficiaries through better information and access to care.
- Healthcare providers and workers: Encouraged to receive training on menopause management.
- Federal agencies (HHS, DoD, VA): Directed to improve resources and research, affecting service delivery to women veterans, military personnel, and the public.
- Employers and workforce: Indirectly impacted by addressing symptoms that cause productivity losses or job departures.
- Racial and ethnic minorities: Highlighted for disproportionate effects, promoting health equity.
- Researchers and medical innovators: Supported in developing new treatments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and cannot compel agency actions, avoiding separation of powers issues. It relies on persuasive authority to influence executive branch priorities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in expressing policy views on public health without infringing on executive functions.
- Political: Signals bipartisan (introduced by Sen. Booker) commitment to women's health issues, potentially advancing gender equity in healthcare policy. It may inspire future legislation on menopause research funding or workplace accommodations, while raising awareness of under-discussed health topics without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-30: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S7852-7853)
- 2025-10-30: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the recognition of October 2025 as World Menopause Awareness Month, and expressing the sense of the Senate regarding global awareness and access to care during the menopausal transition and post-menopause. — issued 2025-10-30 — PDF (4 pages)