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What is Sex-based Biology

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Differences between the sexes exist and whether a person is male or female matters in the prevalence and severity of a broad range of diseases, disorders, and conditions. It matters at every stage of life - from the very beginning to the very end. It matters at every level - from the single cell to the entire body. It matters to the health of everyone.

The groundbreaking 2001 Institute of Medicine report, Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?, initiated and supported by the Society for Women's Health Research, underscored the need to better understand the importance of sex differences and how to translate that knowledge into improved medical practice and therapies.

Sex-based biology is the field of scientific inquiry committed to identifying the biological and physiological differences between men and women. Sex differences that are found at the system, organ, tissue, cellular, and sub-cellular level, as well as sex differences in response to pharmaceuticals, are considered sex-based biology. Sex-based biology has the potential to revolutionize the way in which we understand health and disease for both men and women.

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These facts are written with the Health Care Professional, Researcher, or Scientist in mind. They cover a range of diseases and conditions and go into detail about the sex differences that exist in each.

Autoimmune Diseases
The Brain
Cancer
Cardio/Cerebrovascular Diseases
Diabetes
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco
HIV/AIDS
Mental Health
Musculoskeletal Health
Obesity

For the Consumer audience, these facts are an overview to what you need to know about women's health and how it differs from men's.


Addiction
Asthma
Autoimmune Diseases
Brain & Degenerative Disorders
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes
Diet, Obesity & Eating Disorders
Eye Health
Hearing
Menopause/ Hormone Therapy
Mental Health
Musculoskeletal Health
Oral Health
Pain
Pharmaceuticals
Preventing Birth Defects
Sleep
STD's and HIV/AIDS
Urinary Tract Health/Incontinence

Last updated: August 6, 2004