The conference will explore advances in our understandings of how sex and gender influence the health of women, men, and people of diverse gender identities over the lifespan. It will showcase excellence across the full scope of health research, from cell to society, offering a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary learning and exchange. The conference will feature dynamic presentations on new discoveries and innovative interventions, interactive poster sessions, lively discussions and valuable networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The conference is open to all researchers, policy-makers, health care providers, non-governmental organizations, students and others with a shared interest in gender, sex and health. While there are no single agreed-upon definitions of “gender” or “sex,” it is fairly common to associate gender with socially constructed roles, relationships, behaviours, relative power, and other traits that societies ascribe to women, men and people of diverse gender identities. Gender has multiple dimensions, including but not limited to gender roles, gender identities, gender relations and institutionalized gender. We tend to think of gender in binary terms (e.g., masculine/feminine) but it is more appropriate to think of gender as existing on a spectrum because of the broad range of gender identities and expressions.
Sex is typically understood to refer to the biological and physiological characteristics that distinguish females from males. Like gender, it is a multi-dimensional construct that encompasses characteristics such as hormones, genes, anatomy and physiology. We also tend to think of sex in binary terms (e.g., male/female) yet considerable diversity exists in sex (e.g., variation in hormone levels, chromosomal differences, etc.).
While gender and sex are interrelated sex does not determine gender, nor does gender determine sex. For example, someone born female might have a masculine gender identity. Together gender and sex play an important role in determining health experiences, access to care, and treatment outcomes.
Conference streams will include:
Theoretical and methodological innovations
Promising interventions
Emerging areas
Integrating both gender and sex in health research
Health and social inequities
The biology of sex and health
Who should attend:
The conference will be ideal for: all researchers, policy-makers, health care providers, non-governmental organizations, students, and other stakeholders and individuals who share an interest in how gender and sex influence health.
Conference venue:
Hilton Montréal Bonaventure
900 de la Gauchetière Street West
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Further information
