Gender inequalities in environmental health: An interdisciplinary research network on relevance, interdisciplinary approaches and transdisciplinary perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: A systematic consideration of gender inequalities in environmental exposures and their health impacts is still missing. It is assumed that systematic integration of both biological and social dimensions of sex/gender and their interactions into health research will enhance significance and validity. Methods: An interdisciplinary research network GeUmGe-NET, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany, was created. By applying the rapid review-method the current state of knowledge, underlying concepts, and methods used in research on sex/gender and environmental health are systematically evaluated. The network will develop interdisciplinary approaches to integrate theoretical concepts of sex/gender into environmental health research, and discuss implications for environmental health monitoring and protection by environment and health authorities. Results: Researchers from environmental epidemiology, toxicology, environmental medicine, public health, gender studies and social-ecological gender research constitute the network. In a first workshop (Feb 2016) a common agreement on terms and concepts was developed and examples of good practice as well as knowledge gaps were discussed. The network identified a mismatch between theoretical concepts and analytical approaches used in practice. Contrary to gender theorized as a multidimensional, context-specific factor that changes according to time and place, a homogeneous dichotomic category measured by a single check box is often used in research. The assessment of how sex/gender is currently considered in biomedical and public health research on environmental health is ongoing. Conclusions: The network will provide potentials for further development of methodology in the field of environmental health research by integrating sex/gender concepts. Recommendations useful for environmental health monitoring, promotion, and protection will contribute to the transfer from science to practice.