An Overview of Sex and Gender in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.

ABSTRACT

Disparities in health care have risen to the forefront of medicine in the past several years. One of the most notable disparities in the research and delivery of health care relates to sex and gender. Sex and gender affect the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes of disease and social determinants of health and access to medical care. This article discusses some of the history of considering sex as a biologic variable in medical research and clinical care. It also clarifies the definitions and terminology necessary for understanding the biologic and social underpinnings of sex and gender.