Episode
with @MelindaFrenchGates: Why Women's Health Deserves Funding
- Podcast
- I Did My Own Research
- Published
- Jun 4, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1063
- Processing state
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Summary
Dr. Fran sits down with Melinda French Gates — philanthropist and founder of Pivotal, a group of organizations she founded to accelerate the pace of social progress for women and young people in the U.S. and around the world. Following an announcement of new funding commitments that bring her total investment in women's health to over $600 million in the last two years. Melinda shares why she is doubling down on reproductive health while expanding her focus to midlife, menopause, and mental health — areas she believes have been chronically underfunded and overlooked for far too long. Together, Dr. Fran and Melinda dig into the frustrating gaps in women's healthcare, from the lack of research and dedicated treatments for conditions like PCOS, to the inadequate training physicians receive around menopause. Dr. Fran opens up about her own experiences as both a patient with PCOS and a physician who graduated residency with just one lecture on menopause, highlighting how these systemic failures leave both doctors and patients feeling stuck and without real answers. The conversation also takes a deep look at the mental health component of women's healthcare — including the sobering reality that suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality — and why Melinda sees mental health not as a side issue, but as a core and fundamental part of women's wellbeing. Both women agree on one powerful truth: when women are well, they can do well. And that starts with giving them the right care at the right time. Melinda's social media: @MelindaFrenchGates Dr. Fran's social media: @PagingDrFran