Researchers at Uppsala University have launched a major interdisciplinary research initiative called WHOLE that aims to better understand women’s health throughout their lives. The project focuses particularly on the connections between reproductive transitions, mental health, and pain-related conditions. The center is led by Alkistis Skalkidou and involves collaboration with experts from Karolinska Institutet.Women experience several major reproductive stages during their lives, including menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. While these transitions are natural, many women face health challenges such as postpartum depression, endometriosis, menopausal depression, and chronic pain. The WHOLE initiative aims to investigate these issues more deeply and improve understanding of how they affect women, their families, and society.The center has secured funding for six years from Swedish research agencies, with the possibility of extending the support for an additional four years. Around 45 researchers from multiple disciplines, including medicine, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities, are involved in the project. Their goal is to create a strong interdisciplinary research environment that can produce valuable findings and guide future health policies.In addition to academic research, the project will collaborate with patient organizations and other social actors to ensure that research results translate into real-world impact. Over time, the researchers hope their work will help improve clinical guidelines, reduce stigma around women’s health issues, and contribute to better healthcare policies.
Source:Uppsala University
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