The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2010 with a new strategic plan recognizing the study of the biologic basis of sex differences as a distinct scientific discipline. It has become clear that both sex chromosomes and sex hormones contribute to these differences. Indeed, it is recommended that the term sex difference be used for biologic processes that differ between males and females and the term gender difference be used for features related to social influences. The clinical discipline of women’s health emphasizes greater attention to patient education and involvement in disease prevention and medical decision-making and has become a model for patient-centered health care.
