Cardiovascular Health - Why We Need An Intersectional Sex and Gender Approach

Abstract

A sex and gender perspective in research involves an appreciation for the intersectionality between sex, gender, and other social factors (i.e. sexuality, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, etc.) with the risk and development of disease. This piece argues for the greater adoption of a sex and gender perspective in cardiovascular (CV) research. The absence of a sex and gender perspective has led to an underrepresentation of women and LGBTQ+ populations in studies and an underappreciation for both the biological and psychosocial impacts of sex and gender on pathogenesis.1,2 As a result of this insufficient understanding, these populations have faced a greater disease burden, poorer outcomes, and inequitable health interventions.3 The incorporation of a sex and gender lens in CV research will serve to lessen the burden of disease on these underserved populations through developing a greater understanding of the unique differences in the risk and progression of disease. Accordingly, this opinion piece hopes to illustrate the need for a sex and gender perspective in CV research in order to urge researchers, journal publishers, and supporting bodies to include sex and gender as a priority in future research.