Institute of Sex- and Gender-Sensitive Medicine (IGSM)

Both biological sex and socio-cultural gender roles are important variables in biomedical research and clinical care. Men and women differ not only in terms of disease incidence and the age of onset, but also in disease progression and therapy response (Hinney, 2024).

The causes of these sex and gender differences and their pathophysiological relevance as well as the consistent adaptions of prevention and therapy measures, are increasingly becoming the focus of current research activities. The urgency of this topic in medicine is also reflected in the fact that the DFG now grants funding based on whether sex and diversity aspects are integrated into basic and translational research projects.

Despite growing awareness, the path to comprehensive integration of sex- and gender-sensitive perspectives and aspects into biomedical research and clinical medicine is not yet complete. A crucial step is the consistent incorporation of sex- and gender-sensitive subjects into the curricula of medicine, medical-related degrees and training courses.

Since its founding in 2024, the Institute of Sex- and Gender-Sensitive Medicine has already gained over 50 members. The IGSM and its members are dedicated to studying and integrating complex relationships between sex- and gender-specific aspects and health opportunities and risks (e.g., Dinkelbach et al., 2024; Giuranna et al., 2024; Leven et al., 2025). In addition, it shares its sex- and gender-sensitive medical expertise in various areas, such as the design, implementation and evaluation of research projects.