Bloomberg Businessweek

Episode: Threats to Women and Children's Health in America

Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar & Tim Stenovac
Guest: Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal – Retired Rear Admiral, former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women’s Health, Visiting Professor at MIT Media Lab

Overview

This episode of Bloomberg Businessweek delves into the urgent issues facing women and children's health in America. Tim Stenovac and Carol Massar interview Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal, a pioneering leader in public health and women’s health policy. The discussion covers chronic underinvestment in women’s health research, maternal mortality, the role of new technologies, the impact of vaccine policy changes, and the importance of public service in a turbulent era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of Women’s Health Investment

• Recent Philanthropy Initiatives:

  • The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's $2.5 billion commitment through 2030 for women's health R&D.
  • Melinda Gates’ new partnership pledging $100 million, targeting areas with the highest rates of mortality: autoimmune disease, mental health, and cardiovascular health.
    • "Women represent 51% of the population. They make 80% of the health care decisions. But their health has been traditionally, you know, underfunded and under innovated."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 02:49)

• Is It Enough?

  • Dr. Blumenthal welcomes these investments, but says much more is needed to address longstanding inequities.
  • Historical perspective: Women were often excluded from major research studies well into the late 20th century.

Historical Perspective and Structural Change

• Legacy of Exclusion:
  • Dr. Blumenthal shares her own journey, inspired by her mother’s cancer experience, toward becoming a physician and reforming women’s health policy.
  • She helped expose inequities at the NIH, noting women were left out of studies on heart disease, AIDS, lung cancer, and more.
    • "We wove a focus on women's health into the fabric of NIH, CDC, FDA... There were no women's health conferences, reports, fellowships, or centers. The study of women's health and sex differences became a forefront issue in the 90s... but the innovation needed to continue."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 03:37)

Maternal Mortality in the U.S.

• Alarming Statistics:

  • The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among industrialized countries.
    • "It is shocking that in the United States, we have the highest maternal mortality rates in the industrialized world."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 05:32)

• Root Causes:

  • Disparities in healthcare access
  • Lack of education for patients and providers on signs and symptoms
  • Underreporting and lack of personalized, targeted educational outreach

• Potential Solutions:

  • Utilize new technologies for better outreach and care—including portable ultrasounds for underserved communities and telehealth solutions.
  • Innovative diagnostics, like pinprick blood tests for preeclampsia.
    • "We need to do much better education and targeted education...With technology, we'll be able to access care in more rural or underserved areas."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 05:43)

Changes to Vaccine Guidelines and Public Health Risks

• CDC's Vaccine Policy Reconsideration:

  • Ongoing CDC discussions about changing Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for newborns and universal screening for mothers.

• Vaccine Advocacy and Historical Impact:

  • Dr. Blumenthal stresses how public health interventions, especially vaccines, have doubled life expectancy and eliminated diseases like polio, smallpox, and diphtheria.
    • "Vaccines and other public health interventions were major contributors, landmark contributors to this extended lifespan."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 07:22)

• Risks of Policy Changes:

  • Concern that changing guidelines could reduce vaccination rates, lead to increased incidence of preventable diseases like measles, and introduce cost barriers to vaccines.
    • "If we don't have our major public health agencies consistent in their guidelines, then it's up to the states to create their own recommendations... This may change if the guidelines change, means that vaccines will cost people money and that will be an obstacle to getting you or your child vaccinated."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 08:28–09:58)

The Challenge and Honor of Public Service

• Personal Reflection:

  • Dr. Blumenthal, whose husband Senator Ed Markey remains in public service, reflects on the challenges facing public servants today amid attacks from various groups.
    • "It's an honor to serve and sadly, I think, you know, it's a challenging time. But to be able to give back to your country is extremely meaningful."
      (Dr. Blumenthal, 10:26)

• Women’s Health as a Foundation for Society:

  • "Improving women's health means improving the health of families, of communities and of countries."
    (Dr. Blumenthal, 10:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Their health has been traditionally, you know, underfunded and under innovated. And so we hope to turn the page here in the 21st century."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 02:49)

• "I was very honored to work at the National Institutes of Health for 12 years and there helped to expose the inequities that existed that women had been excluded from research studies..."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 03:37)

• "It is shocking that in the United States, we have the highest maternal mortality rates in the industrialized world."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 05:32)

• "Vaccines...have saved 20,000 babies and so I think it's very, you know, very irresponsible to be changing these guidelines when we know that vaccines save lives."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 07:22)

• "Right now there's been a study that showed that one out of six parents is questioning whether to follow the vaccination schedule. So again, disinformation is circulating and people are getting very confused."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 08:28)

• "Improving women's health means improving the health of families, of communities and of countries."
  (Dr. Blumenthal, 10:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:24 Introduction of Dr. Susan J. Blumenthal and first question on adequacy of current investment
• 03:37 Dr. Blumenthal's personal story and history of women's health research
• 05:04 Focus shifts to maternal mortality and U.S. maternal health crisis
• 07:02 Discussion about CDC's vaccine policy meeting and potential implications
• 08:28 Consequences of changing vaccination guidelines, impact of disinformation
• 09:58 Closing reflections on public service and the societal impact of women's health policy

Summary

This episode spotlights significant, persistent gaps in women’s and children’s health policy and research in the U.S. Dr. Blumenthal outlines systemic underinvestment, the need for continued innovation, and public health challenges like maternal mortality and vaccine skepticism. She emphasizes the impact of new investments and technologies, while warning against any weakening of vaccination programs. The episode closes on the vital role of public service and reiterates that advancing women’s health uplifts entire communities and nations.