Aspira Women’s Health, Black Women’s Health Imperative Lead Congressional Briefing

Rhea-AI Summary

Aspira Women’s Health Inc (AWH) and the Black Women’s Health Imperative held a briefing on September 27, 2021, addressing ovarian cancer diagnostics and treatment gaps. Key discussions included the need for education, research funding, improved detection methods, and insurance coverage, especially for underserved populations. Aspira promoted its OVA1plus risk assessment tool, emphasizing its effectiveness among Black women. Ovarian cancer has a mortality rate exceeding 50%, with 60 new cases daily in the U.S. The briefing attracted over 350 attendees, including prominent Congress members, highlighting the urgency to tackle health disparities.

Positive

• Successful advocacy for OVA1plus, a proprietary ovarian cancer risk assessment tool.
• Focus on addressing disparities in ovarian cancer diagnostics, particularly for Black women.
• Strong engagement from Congress, suggesting potential for increased funding and awareness.

Negative

• Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers, with a high mortality rate.
• Black women face a 30% higher mortality rate compared to white women, indicating ongoing health disparities.

Call to Action for Congress to Drive Immediate Progress in Conquering Ovarian Cancer

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspira Women’s Health Inc (“Aspira”) (Nasdaq: AWH) together with the Black Women’s Health Imperative participated in a Congressional Briefing on September 27, 2021 to discuss the gaps in ovarian health diagnostics and treatments as well as solutions to successfully address them. Immediate and innovative actions regarding education, research investment, detection, and insurance coverage were highlighted, in addition to the dire consequences of racial and ethnic disparities and inequities endemic to this malignancy. Leadership at Aspira was able to drive awareness for our proprietary ovarian cancer risk assessment, OVA1plus^TM for women with pelvic masses, as well as stress the need for streamlining the process for payor coverage and highlight the superior performance of OVA1plus^TM in Black women.

Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal gynecological cancers, despite decades of research. Ovarian cancer is the only gender-specific cancer with a greater than 50% mortality rate; every day approximately 60 women are diagnosted with ovarian cancer and there are an estimated 235,000 women living with ovarian cancer in the United States each year.¹

The briefing was well-attended by more than 350 guests including many members of Congress and received significant media attention. Speakers at the briefing included:

• Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Chair, House Appropriations Committee
• Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues
• Diane Powis, PhD, Ovarian Cancer Warrior and Chief Spokeswoman, Aspira Women’s Health Inc.
• Elena Ratner, MD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences; Director of Gynecologic Oncology, Yale School of Medicine
• Linda Goler Blount, MPH President and CEO, Black Women’s Health Imperative
• Chad Ramsey, MPA, Vice President of Policy, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
• Valerie Palmieri, President and CEO, Aspira Women’s Health Inc.
  

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, I am eager to participate in the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Congressional Briefing because there is no women’s issue more pressing than our health — and awareness combined with early detection will save lives,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04). “Grateful to the organizations like Aspira Women’s Health, Black Women’s Health Imperative and Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance who work to saves lives not just this month, but year-round.” 

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) stated, “The fight against this disease is personal for me. My own ovarian cancer was detected in its earliest stages purely by chance during an unrelated doctor’s visit. I consider myself extremely fortunate, but no woman should have to rely on luck alone. We must do all we can to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. We must also fight for increased investments in biomedical research and strong paid family and medical leave legislation, so women and families do not have to choose between healing or caring for loved ones and their paycheck. Remember that Congress is an institution that responds to external pressure. Please continue to stand up and speak out.”

Linda Goler Blount, MPH, President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative said, “While we have made progress in detecting and treating ovarian cancer over the past 25 years, not everyone has benefitted.  Survival rates for Black women have decreased; Black women die at a 30% higher rate than white women; and their physicians are not as likely to recommend aggressive treatment. The opportunity to brief members of Congress was an important highlight on the unnecessary disparities Black women face in accessing quality care, receiving genetic testing, and participating in clinical research – all of which would save thousands of mothers, daughters, and sisters every year.” 

Diane Powis, PhD, Chief Spokeswoman, Aspira Women’s Health emphasized,“It is due to the insidious nature of ovarian cancer----its often silent, overlooked symptoms, dismissed by so many women and, tragically, by their doctors, that thousands of women die needlessly from this devastating disease each year.”

Valerie Palmieri, President and CEO of Aspira Women’s Health added, “ The engagement of Congress during this briefing was remarkable! Participating in this briefing to educate members of Congress, on the state of ovarian cancer and the need for early risk detection, was truly a necessity as there has been very little change in disease outcomes for decades. Increasing the government’s awareness of the gaps and turning this engagement into action is a priority for Aspira. OVA1 is the only FDA cleared, ACOG endorsed solution is the only solution for all ages, stages, cancer types and diverse populations and is essential to saving the lives of the thousands of women affected by this devastating disease.”

About Black Women’s Health Imperiative
The Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to achieving health equity and social justice for Black women, across the lifespan, through policy, advocacy, education, research, and leadership development. The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation's 22 million Black women and girls and invests in the best of the best strategies and organizations that accomplish its goals.

About ASPIRA Women’s Health Inc.
Aspira Women’s Health Inc. (formerly known as Vermillion, Inc., Nasdaq: VRML) is transforming women’s health with the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative testing options and bioanalytical solutions that help physicians assess risk, optimize patient management, and improve gynecologic health outcomes for women. Aspira Women’s Health is particularly focused on closing the ethnic disparity gap in ovarian cancer risk assessment and developing solutions for pelvic diseases, such as pelvic mass risk assessment and endometriosis detection. OVA1^® plus combines our FDA-cleared products, OVA1^® and OVERA^®, to detect risk of ovarian malignancy in women with adnexal masses. ASPIRA GenetiX^SM testing offers both targeted and comprehensive genetic testing options with a gynecologic focus. With over 10 years of expertise in ovarian cancer risk assessment, Aspira Women’s Health has expertise in cutting edge research to inform our next generation of products. Our focus is on delivering products that allow healthcare providers to stratify risk, facilitate early detection and optimize treatment plans. The next generation of products in development are OVASight and EndoCheck^TM. Visit www.aspirawh.com for more information

1. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html
   

Aspira Women’s Health Investor Relations Contact:
Ashley R. Robinson
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Tel 617-430-7577
Arr@lifesciadvisors.com

Aspira Women’s Health Media Contact:
Megan Foell
Krupp Kommunications
Tel: (203) 516-1694
mfoell@kruppnyc.com

FAQ

What is the focus of Aspira Women’s Health's recent Congressional briefing?

The briefing focused on overcoming gaps in ovarian cancer diagnostics and treatments, emphasizing education and insurance coverage.

What is the significance of the OVA1plus tool discussed by Aspira Women’s Health?

OVA1plus is a proprietary ovarian cancer risk assessment tool highlighted for its superior performance, especially among Black women.

How prevalent is ovarian cancer according to Aspira's briefing?

Ovarian cancer has a mortality rate over 50%, with approximately 60 women diagnosed daily in the U.S.

What disparities in ovarian cancer treatment were discussed at the briefing?

The briefing addressed significant disparities, noting that Black women have a 30% higher mortality rate from ovarian cancer than white women.

Which key speakers attended the Aspira Women’s Health briefing?

Key speakers included Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro and Madeleine Dean, as well as several health experts and advocates.