NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
It's obvious why only men develop prostate cancer and why only women get ovarian cancer. But it is not obvious why women are more likely to recover language ability after a stroke than men or why women are more apt to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Sex differences in health throughout the lifespan have been documented. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health begins to snap the pieces of the puzzle into place so that this knowledge can be used to improve health for both sexes. From behavior and cognition to metabolism and response to chemicals and infectious organisms, this book explores the health impact of sex (being male or female, according to reproductive organs and chromosomes) and gender (one's sense of self as male or female in society).
Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health discusses basic biochemical differences in the cells of males and females and health variability between the sexes from conception throughout life. The book identifies key research needs and opportunities and addresses barriers to research.
Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health will be important to health policy makers, basic, applied, and clinical researchers, educators, providers, and journalists-while being very accessible to interested lay readers.
Contents
- THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
- COMMITTEE ON UNDERSTANDING THE BIOLOGY OF SEX AND GENDER DIFFERENCES
- Reviewers
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Executive Summary
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Every Cell Has a Sex
- 3. Sex Begins in the Womb
- 4. Sex Affects Behavior and Perception
- 5. Sex Affects Health
- 6. The Future of Research on Biological Sex Differences: Challenges and Opportunities
- References
- APPENDIX A. Data Sources and Acknowledgments
- APPENDIX B. Physiological and Pharmacological Differences Between the Sexes
- APPENDIX C. Glossary
- APPENDIX D. Committee and Staff Biographies
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
- NLM CatalogRelated NLM Catalog Entries
- Sexual Harassment and Prevention Training.[StatPearls. 2025]Sexual Harassment and Prevention Training.Cedeno R, Bohlen J. StatPearls. 2025 Jan
- Qualitative Study.[StatPearls. 2025]Qualitative Study.Tenny S, Brannan JM, Brannan GD. StatPearls. 2025 Jan
- Uterus Transplantation and the redefinition of core bioethics precepts.[Acta Biomed. 2021]Uterus Transplantation and the redefinition of core bioethics precepts.Umani Ronchi F, Napoletano G. Acta Biomed. 2021 Nov 3; 92(5):e2021435. Epub 2021 Nov 3.
- Review Public health context of women's mental health research.[Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2003]Review Public health context of women's mental health research.Blehar MC. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2003 Sep; 26(3):781-99.
- Review Sex Differences in Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review.[Cureus. 2023]Review Sex Differences in Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review.Slouha E, Al-Geizi H, Albalat BR, Burle VS, Clunes LA, Kollias TF. Cureus. 2023 Dec; 15(12):e49815. Epub 2023 Dec 2.
- Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human HealthExploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health
Your browsing activity is empty.
Activity recording is turned off.
See more...