Factors for improved physical health and function during midlife in women: Study findings from SWAN

A new study published in JAMA Network Open has identified several interventional targets that could improve the physical health and function of women in their early midlife. Researchers conducted a cohort study using data from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation and found that midlife is a small but crucial time window in which events are associated with the fluctuating health status of women. The study identified several factors associated with clinically relevant physical health and functional improvements in middle-aged women, such as lower BMI, fewer sleep disturbances and medications, high physical activity levels, no financial burden, and no osteoarthritis. Furthermore, the study’s findings suggest that health status fluctuates during midlife, and interventions could help support health- and function-related improvements in women in their midlife.