To address the pressing issue of heart health among women, Minister for Health of Ireland Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has launched three innovative projects under the Women’s Health Fund. These initiatives, supported by €570,000 in funding, are the result of a collaborative effort between University College Dublin (UCD), the Heart Failure Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, and St Vincent’s University Hospital. The projects are timely, coinciding with Women’s Health Week, and align with the broader goals outlined in the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025.
The focus on heart health is particularly important in Ireland, where cardiovascular diseases and stroke claim the lives of one in four women. Moreover, heart failure affects approximately 50,000 women annually, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The projects aim to bridge the gap in healthcare by providing crucial data, developing guidelines, and establishing specialized services tailored to women’s needs.
Minister Carroll MacNeill emphasized the significance of these initiatives, stating “Historically, women’s experiences have been an afterthought in the development and improvement of health treatment and care, but the tide is turning. The projects I’m launching today are a wonderful example of how research can be used to achieve better outcomes for patients. They will provide valuable insights and data that will inform the design and delivery of better, targeted heart health services and interventions, to ensure women get the appropriate care when they need it.
“I’m delighted that the Women’s Health Fund is supporting UCD and St Michael’s Hospital in its excellent work, and I want to wish them well as they embark on three exciting initiatives that will ultimately make a very positive difference to the heart health of women in Ireland.”
Chief Nursing Officer Rachel Kenna highlighted the importance of advancing research into heart failure in women, noting that it is critical for ensuring equitable healthcare. She explained that these projects will help reduce delayed diagnoses and disparities in treatment by studying the underlying causes of gender differences. By investing in research that optimizes health services for women at risk of or living with heart failure, the goal is to deliver timely, tailored care.
Professor Ken McDonald, Clinical Co-lead of the HSE National Heart Programme and Consultant Cardiologist at St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, underscored the critical differences in how heart failure affects women. He emphasized that these differences require specific focus and attention, and his team is delighted to lead this effort with the support of the Women’s Health Fund projects.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to enhance women’s health services in Ireland, which have seen significant investment over the past four years. The Women’s Health Action Plan has been supported by €180 million, reflecting a commitment to addressing the unique health challenges faced by women across all life stages.
