Gender matters: an integrated model for understanding men's and women's health

Health research has failed to adequately explore the combination of social and biological sources of differences in men's and women's health. Conseque ntly, scientific explanations often proceed from reductionist assumptions t hat differences are either purely biological or purely social. Such assumpt ions and the models that are built on them have consequences for research, health care and policy. Although biological factors such as genetics, prena tal hormone exposure and natural hormonal exposure as adults may contribute to differences in men's and women's health, a wide range of social process es can create, maintain or exacerbate underlying biological health differen ces. Researchers, clinicians and policy makers would understand and address both sex-specific and non-sex-specific health problems differently if the social as well as biological sources of differences in men's and women's he alth were better understood. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.