Sex and gender in lung health and disease: more than just Xs and Ys

Abstract

Every nucleated human cell carries sex chromosomes and every person has a gender. These terms “sex” and “gender” are often used interchangeably and incorrectly in the scientific literature, but they mean different things: sex is a biological attribute associated with physical and physiological features determined by chromosomes, hormones, anatomy and gene expression; whereas gender is a sociocultural construct based on expressions of identity, behaviours and social roles [1]. Thus, sex and gender-related factors can both influence health and disease via distinct but intersecting mechanisms. There are important sex differences in lung development that start in utero and during childhood, which ultimately influence respiratory function in adulthood. Women are predisposed to higher rates of several pulmonary diseases such as asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Gender-related factors can also influence pulmonary disease in a variety of ways, including gender differences in occupational exposures, health-seeking behaviours or access to healthcare, and other behaviours such as tobacco use. A new series explores the role of sex and gender-related factors in respiratory physiology, lung health, and across respiratory diseases <https://bit.ly/3mP0BVF>