ORWH e-learning courses give users a thorough and up-to-date understanding of sex and gender influences on health and disease and NIH requirements on factoring sex as a biological variable into research designs. Users will be able to apply this knowledge when designing and conducting research or interpreting evidence for clinical practice. Offerings include: Bench to Bedside: Integrating Sex and Gender to Improve Human Health, Sex as a Biological Variable: A Primer, and Introduction: Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Health.

The courses are open to the public, and registration is free.

Bench to Bedside: Integrating Sex and Gender to Improve Human Health

Bench to Bedside: Integrating Sex and Gender to Improve Human Health was developed in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women’s Health (OWH). This online course gives users a thorough and up-to-date understanding of sex and gender influences on health and disease so users can apply this knowledge when conducting research and interpreting evidence for clinical practice. Course material showcases examples from basic science through clinical trials and translation into practice to ensure participants understand the importance of considering the influence of sex and gender throughout the research spectrum and beyond. Through its six modules, the course focuses on key health conditions on which sex and gender have an impact. The six modules that compose the course are Immunology, Cardiovascular disease, Pulmonary disease, Neurology, Endocrinology, and Mental Health.

Visit the course page for Bench to Bedside: Integrating Sex and Gender to Improve Human Health

Sex as a Biological Variable: A Primer 

Sex as a biological variable (SABV) is a key focus of the NIH initiative to enhance reproducibility through rigor and transparency. NIH expects that SABV will be factored into research designs, analyses, and reporting in vertebrate animal and human studies. SABV: A Primer includes four interactive modules that will walk you through how to consider SABV in all stages of the biomedical research spectrum. This course was developed by ORWH and has funding support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

Visit the course page for Sex as a Biological Variable: A Primer

Introduction: Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Health

Understanding and accounting for sex and gender influences on health are key steps toward improving outcomes for all patients—regardless of sex or gender. Introduction: Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Health is a self-paced introductory training aimed at researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. The course presents material on multidimensional perspectives of gender, the importance of consistent and accurate terminology, and key regulatory requirements related to sex and gender. The downloadable slide deck and accompanying Facilitator’s Guide can be used by individuals or teams to initiate dialogue about how—and why—to incorporate a sex and gender lens into research and clinical care.

Visit the course page for Introduction: Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Health