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
  • SCOPE OF THE REPORT
  • SEX DIFFERENCES BEYOND THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
  • EVOLVING RESEARCH POLICY
  • ORGANIZATION OF REPORT
• 2. Every Cell Has a Sex
  • ABSTRACT
  • SEX AND THE HUMAN GENOME
  • BASIC MOLECULAR GENETICS: WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEXES?
  • EFFECTS OF PARENTAL IMPRINTING ON THE EXPRESSION OF GENETIC INFORMATION
  • UNEXPECTED OR NONOBVIOUS SEX DIFFERENCES
  • GENETICS AS A TOOL
  • FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• 3. Sex Begins in the Womb
  • ABSTRACT
  • BIOLOGY OF SEX
  • EARLY DEVELOPMENT
  • PUBERTY
  • ADULTHOOD
  • FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• 4. Sex Affects Behavior and Perception
  • ABSTRACT
  • SEX DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES
  • EFFECTS OF HORMONES ON BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION
  • SEX DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION OF PAIN
  • ANIMAL MODELS OF CEREBROVASCULAR AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
  • FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• 5. Sex Affects Health
  • ABSTRACT
  • SEX DIFFERENCES IN RESPONSE TO THERAPEUTIC AGENTS: DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
  • METABOLISM, LIFESTYLE, AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE
  • SEX DIFFERENCES IN AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS
  • A SPECTRUM OF SEX DIFFERENCES ACROSS A DISEASE: CORONARY HEART DISEASE
  • FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
• 6. The Future of Research on Biological Sex Differences: Challenges and Opportunities
  • ABSTRACT
  • TERMINOLOGY
  • RESEARCH TOOLS AND RESOURCES
  • INTERDISCIPLINARY AND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
  • NON-HEALTH-RELATED IMPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH ON SEX DIFFERENCES IN HEALTH
• 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.