For centuries, we’ve tended to view specific groups through simplified lenses. We see  children as miniature adults, lacking the complexities and nuances of their elders. On the other hand, women are sometimes defined in relation to men, their experiences and identities framed as the opposite of a masculine norm. However, these reductive perspectives limit our understanding of these groups and can harm health care.

Recognition of pediatrics as a distinct and separate medical field happened gradually, unfolding over centuries with crucial turning points and ongoing progress. The 17th century saw the emergence of figures like Nils Rosén von Rosenstein (1706-1773) in Sweden, who authored The Diseases of Children and their Remedies (1764). Although there were others before this, this was considered the first modern textbook on pediatrics. Its publication marked a shift toward recognizing the distinct features of childhood illnesses.

Only very recently have we seen a similar shift toward sex-based and gender-based medicine. In 2016, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a policy stating that research designs and analyses must include “sex as a biological variable.”¹⁴ Even though we are increasingly conscious of specific differences between the male and female bodies when we think of gender, and the spectrum of genders based on social constructs, medicine has lagged in recognizing how biologic and hormonal differences can significantly influence health and disease. For too long in medicine, women’s health has been painted as a mere counterpoint to men’s—a mirror image on the opposite end of the medical spectrum, except with a uterus. But this approach fails to capture the rich tapestry of women’s experiences, leading to misdiagnoses, missed opportunities, and an understanding that doesn’t fit.

Here is where sex and gender medicine enter. Sex-based medicine focuses on biological differences between men and women, typically in anatomy, physiology, and hormones. On the other hand, gender (gender-based) medicine is broader, including social and cultural factors influencing health care outcomes. This field explores how gender roles, power dynamics, and societal expectations impact health outcomes for different groups. Considering these differences, gender medicine can improve health care for all people, regardless of gender identity. Sex and gender medicine focuses on personalized health care that recognizes individual differences in biology and social experiences, offering tailored treatments and interventions. By promoting an inclusive and equitable approach to health care, sex and gender medicine can potentially improve health outcomes for everyone.

So why should we care about this in emergency medicine?