Sex, gender and human rights: essential components of inclusive medical research

Abstract

ABSTRACT Much of past medical research has been sex and gender ‘blind’ and has failed to take account of gender norms and practices that place men and women at different levels of risk of certain diseases. Further, non-binary, trans and people with intersex characteristics have been especially marginalised in research practices. Other forms of discrimination based on race, disability and socio-economic disadvantage have cut-across and exacerbated these research gaps. This paper considers that medical codes of ethics alone are insufficient to address sex and gender disparities in medical research and suggests that adopting a human rights approach to medical research provides a systematic way to collect, analyse and report on sex and gender data in ways that are person-centred, empowering and participatory.