Gambling on a cure

Poker machines and endometriosis

Hello, lovely reader,

I was keen to share the news with you that the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia received $50 million to establish the national Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI). It’s the largest single donation for endo research ever!

But while investigating the story, I discovered an intriguing backstory…

The money comes from a family donation. The father, Len Ainsworth, amassed a billion-dollar fortune through poker machines. Despite this rather controversial way to create wealth, Len has now pledged to donate half his money and much of it has been divided among his many children.

Which leads us to the donation. Lily Ainsworth, Len’s granddaughter, has endometriosis and wanted to make a tangible impact on the understanding of the disease.

She asked researchers: what would you need to make a significant difference? The answer was that it required a community of researchers to focus on this space. The $50 million is a projection of what it will take to do that over 10 years.

Of course, it’s tricky to comprehend the trail of heartache that comes from making so much money from gambling. But, at least, some long-term good can come from it.

Is there ever such a thing as an ethical billionaire?

Little reminder that if you enjoy this newsletter and fancy ‘buying me a coffee’, you can do so here 👇

THANK YOU! And loads of love to those who’ve already supported me on there.

Three ways to help close the gender health gap this week

1. Explore the women’s health/climate change intersection

If you haven’t already read about Jeff Bezos’ diesel-spewing super yacht and his fiancée’s award for environmental conservation, then I highly recommend you do. (Two billionaires in one newsletter, what’s happening?)

It feels increasingly like we live in a world where we all scurry about washing out baked bean cans and meticulously separating our recycling, while the mega-elite do everything they can to ruin the planet.

What will be the turning point for change?

Perhaps once we start understanding the impact on health and fertility?

Climate Central, a not-for-profit organisation of scientists and journalists, recently shared some analysis on the pregnancy risk caused by increasing temperatures.

In the US, there were 12 additional days of extreme heat over the last five years.

According to the researchers: “Enduring this extreme heat puts expectant mothers at a greater risk of developing high-risk conditions like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.”

Read more about the studies and other research on environmental impact in pregnancy in this Time piece here.

2. Share your experience of emergency contraception

Online platform, The Lowdown, has teamed up with Perrigo, to explore how people access the emergency contraceptive pill in the UK.

The survey is for anyone who has tried to access or successfully accessed the pills.

All responses are anonymous but will be used to influence future policy.

Take part here.

3. Read why heavy periods are an education problem

I shudder when I think about my periods at school.

Our toilets were filthy, and the sanitary bins were broken or overflowing. As a result, I avoided using them at all costs. It meant I used a pad for as long as possible. I still remember the day I bled through my trousers.

But, I was lucky. My flow was manageable and cramps were minimal. I could be at school and concentrate while I was there.

New research from the University of Bristol, however, highlights how much of an impact heavy periods have on education.

According to the study, more than a third of girls (36%) experienced heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding and this was associated with missing 1.7 days of school every year.

And here’s the sucker punch: heavy menstrual bleeding was also associated with achieving one grade lower in key examinations.

How can we address this menstruation-related inequality?

Read more about study in The Guardian here

This week's bonus is a must-read for FemTech founders. Last month, Kanya Manoj wound up her start-up after nine months. In a blog series, she’s breaking down what happened at each stage to support others in the ecosystem. Read ‘Why your FemTech startup will fail’ here.

When not writing this email, I help women’s health brands with their communications.

Due to some paused projects, I’ve got capacity in June and July. Give me a shout if you need support with communications strategy, media relations work or developing content.

Thanks very much for reading,

Hannah