Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter? - Hardcover

Institute Of Medicine; Board On Health Sciences Policy; Committee On Understanding The Biology Of Sex And Gender Differences

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0309072816 ISBN 13: 9780309072816

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Theresa M. Wizemann and Mary-Lou Pardue, Editors, Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences, Board on Health Sciences Policy

Review

"...the book is engagingly written and refreshingly accessible to nonexperts. The language is a model of directness..." -- Cell, November 2001

Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0309072816
• ISBN 13: 9780309072816
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Pardue Mary-Lou, Wizemann Theresa M.