Jill Biden Embarks on New Chapter: Leading Women’s Health Initiative at Milken Institute
Following her tenure as First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden has taken on a new role as chair of the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network, a California-based think tank initiative dedicated to advancing women’s health research and improving outcomes for women worldwide. The announcement was made during the Milken Institute’s 28th annual Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, where Dr. Biden addressed attendees, highlighting the critical need for collaborative efforts across industries to translate research into tangible improvements in women’s lives.
The Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, focuses on addressing critical global issues related to financial, physical, mental, and environmental health. By bringing together innovative ideas and resources, the institute aims to develop blueprints for tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Dr. Biden’s leadership of the Women’s Health Network will leverage this approach to galvanize participation, collaboration, and shared action, ultimately improving women’s health and well-being.
"I am honored to join the Milken Institute as we unite leaders around a shared mission: for women everywhere to benefit from the lifesaving, world-changing research we know is possible," Dr. Biden stated in a Milken Institute press release. Her commitment to women’s health aligns with her previous work in the White House, where she spearheaded the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. This initiative focused on increasing funding for research into women’s health issues, ranging from endometriosis to healthy aging.
During her time as First Lady, Dr. Biden also championed other significant initiatives, including the Biden Cancer Moonshot, aimed at ending cancer, and Joining Forces, which supports veteran families and caregivers. Her extensive background in education, holding a doctorate in education, coupled with her advocacy for women’s health, positions her well to lead the Milken Institute’s efforts in this critical area.
The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, launched in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Biden, aimed to address the historical underrepresentation of women in medical research. The Biden administration argued that medical studies have disproportionately focused on men, leading to a lack of understanding of women’s specific health needs. This disparity extends to medicine dosages, treatments, and medical school textbooks, which are often based on male physiology and may not be applicable to women.
Dr. Biden emphasized her husband’s commitment to investing in women’s health research. "So one of the things we did was we got to work right away," she said at the Milken Institute conference. "Joe said, ‘You know, let’s infuse – really, the federal government with money.’ In one year, we put in $1 billion to advance women’s research."
The initiative focused on directing funds through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD). The NIH was tasked with disaggregating data and conducting separate research on women and men, while the DOD invested in women’s health research. Additionally, the initiative aimed to de-risk investments in women’s health, encouraging private equity firms to support research that may have been considered too risky previously.
Dr. Biden’s efforts to promote women’s health research come at a time when political books recapping the Biden administration are being released, some of which raise questions about President Biden’s mental acuity and age. Despite these concerns, Dr. Biden remains focused on her commitment to improving women’s health outcomes.
Her new role at the Milken Institute reflects her ongoing dedication to public service and her passion for addressing critical issues facing women. Prior to her role as First Lady, Dr. Biden worked as a professor at Northern Virginia Community College from 2009 to December 2024, demonstrating her commitment to education and community engagement.
The Milken Institute’s Global Conference, where Dr. Biden announced her new role, brought together a diverse group of leaders and experts to discuss solutions to global challenges. Notable guests who addressed the conference included former Trump administration Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and former Trump administration Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.
Dr. Biden’s leadership of the Women’s Health Network is expected to bring renewed attention and resources to women’s health research. By fostering collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, she aims to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions that will improve the health and well-being of women worldwide. The Milken Institute’s commitment to addressing critical global issues, combined with Dr. Biden’s passion and expertise, creates a powerful partnership that has the potential to transform women’s health for generations to come.
