Table 1.

Curriculum Outline of Basic Topics that Facilitate Incorporation of Sex and Gender into Research Design and Analysis

Basic definitions of sex and gender

Review of sex chromosomes: genes, X inactivation, X dose effect, sex chromosome effects

Hormonal effects: organization versus activation, cellular signaling, integrative actions, and feedback loops

Interactions: sex by age by hormonal status; sex and hormonal compensation; influence of gender (culture, environment, and psychosocial). What can and cannot be measured. Discussion of health disparities and ethical implications

Pharmacogenomics: genetic variants sex chromosome, enzymes for hormone metabolism, others

Expression of sex differences in health and disease (can be tailored to type and stage of learner; can go by physiological systems or examples for diseases; case studies)

Study design and statistical assessments

Practical examples: articles and grants