Stay informed with the September ORWH Pulse

Consideration of sex and gender in research is critical to advancing the NIH mission of seeking knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. In recognition of the importance of the influence of sex and gender on human health, the 2019–2023 Trans-NIH Strategic Plan for Women’s Health Research charges the NIH community with developing methods and leveraging data sources to consider sex and gender influences that enhance research for the health of women (Goal 2 of the strategic plan). Although “sex” is often conflated with “gender,” the terms describe different but interconnected constructs. 

Sex is a multidimensional construct based on a cluster of anatomical and physiological traits, that include external genitalia, secondary sex characteristics, gonads, chromosomes, and hormones. The landmark 2016 Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) policy articulates NIH’s expectation that sex, as a biological variable, be factored into research design, analyses, and reporting in human and vertebrate animal studies. Read more.

Gender and Health: Impacts of Structural Sexism, Gender Norms, Relational Power Dynamics, and Gender Inequities
October 26, 2022 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. EDT

This virtual scientific workshop will convene members of the scientific community to discuss methods and best practices in biomedical and sociobehavioral research on gender roles, gender norms, gender inequity, and structural sexism.

Workshop Objectives

• Review definitions and conceptual frameworks commonly used to study structural sexism, gender norms, relational power dynamics, and gender inequities in health.
• Examine issues in measurement and methods to evaluate structural sexism, gender norms, relational power dynamics, and gender inequities.
• Identify modifiable factors and points of intervention to mitigate health disparities based in structural sexism, gender norms, relational power dynamics, and gender inequities.
• Highlight interventions (evidence-based practices, promising practices, etc.) and different levels (e.g., socioecological, multilevel frameworks) aimed at mitigating health disparities based in structural sexism, gender norms, relational power dynamics, and gender inequities.
• Identify opportunities to advance research and foster collaborations on health impacts of structural sexism, gender norms, relational power dynamics, and gender inequities.

Click here to learn more.