Overview

What is Women's Health and Sexual and Gender Minority Health?

Women's Health and Gender Minority Health is a discipline devoted to facilitating the preservation of wellness and prevention of illness in women and includes:

  • Screening
  • Diagnosis
  • Management of conditions which are

    • unique to women
    • more common or more serious in women
    • have manifestations, risk factors, or interventions that are different in women

The Institute of Medicine 2001 report on "Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?" 1 revealed that the genetic sex of a cell, organ, organism, or person influences behavior, development, genetic risks, and disease susceptibility.

Differing health needs and risks in women and men extend beyond reproductive systems and hormonal profiles. Major gaps still exist in the knowledge base about female and male differences in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of many health problems.

Mission of the Stanford WSDM ("wisdom") Center, the Stanford Center for Health Research on Women and Sex Differences in Medicine

The Stanford WSDM ("wisdom") Center, the Stanford Center for Health Research on Women and Sex Differences in Medicine, acknowledges the wisdom of conducting research and expanding knowledge about women's health and sex differences in biology and medicine. This is our evolution from the former Women's Health at Stanford program and encompasses research and education opportunities targeting Women as well as the spectrum of biological, social, and cultural differences that may affect female and male health outcomes.

More information at: wsdm.stanford.edu

1 "Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?" Theresa M. Wizemann and Mary-Lou Pardue, Institute of Medicine Committee on Understanding the Biology of Sex and Gender Differences, Board on Health Sciences Policy. National Academy Press: 2001.