Biology of Sex Differences is calling for submissions to our Collection on Sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases. This Collection aims to advance understanding of the complex interplay between sex/gender and neurodegenerative diseases, fostering innovations in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Biology of Sex Differences is calling for submissions to our Collection on "Sex differences in prenatal and neonatal life". This Collection aims to improve the knowledge and underline the importance of sex-gender impact at the beginning of life.
Biology of Sex Differences is calling for submissions to our Collection on Sex Differences in Autoimmune Disease. Most autoimmune diseases occur predominantly in women. This Collection provides recent data and perspectives on Sex and Gender Differences in Autoimmune Diseases from leaders in the field.
This Collection in Biology of Sex Differences is an occasion to highlight recent research and emerging perspectives on the interaction of sex and gender as well as to convene a conversation about how the social influences the biological, and in turn, how that interaction affects individuals.
This review article focuses on sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune function in health and disease, and was prepared for the journal Biology of Sex Differences as part of its recognition of “Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day.” This article clearly reveals the striking importance of sex differences in cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune system functions in health and in the pathogenesis of disease processes, which likely involve a combination of effects of the sex chromosomes as well as the gonadal steroid hormones.
Authors: Lana McClements, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, Georgios Kararigas, Sofia B. Ahmed & John N. Stallone
Published: 13 May 2025, Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day
Co-published today, May 13, in recognition of Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day, this Q&A accompanies the Editorial: Sex still matters for the brain and mental health across the lifespan and the Review Article: The role of sex differences in cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune functions in health and disease: a review for “Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day”—both co-authored by members of our Editorial Board. This Q&A also highlights a recent Editorial by our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Jill Becker, and Dr. Sofia Ahmed, titled Sex differences research is important!, written in response to recent federal funding cuts and the elimination of key information resources—developments that underscore the urgent need to prioritise and protect sex differences research.
Today, on May 13th, 2025, the Editorial Board of Biology of Sex Differences proudly celebrates Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day. This Editorial, authored by members of our own Editorial Board, explores the complex relationship between sex differences and the brain, with a focus on the vital role of sex differences research in neuroscience and mental health. As part of our Awareness Day campaign, this Editorial is co-published alongside a Review article written by additional members of our Editorial Board: “The Role of Sex Differences in Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Immune Functions in Health and Disease: A Review for Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day.” Both articles were commissioned by the Publisher, India Sapsed-Foster, in recognition of this important day and in support of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5—Good Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality, respectively.
Authors: Adriene M. Beltz, Natalie C. Tronson, Meharvan Singh & Samar Rezq
Published: 13 May 2025, Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day
A newly published editorial, which comes as the current administration makes drastic federal cuts and eliminates information resources, highlights the importance of sex differences research. One of the co-authors, Jill Becker at the University of Michigan, said: “Changes in the priority of the USA government regarding diversity, equity, and inclusivity has resulted in federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, taking down or substantially modifying websites that refer to sex as a biological variable. These changes occur even though studying sex differences is critical to our understanding of chronic disease and sex-specific characteristics of many diseases."
In this editorial published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, Becker and Sofia B. Ahmed present the case for the importance of sex differences research. Dr. Becker is available for interviews. Please contact her at jbbecker@med.umich.edu.
The editorial views do not represent the views of the University of Michigan, BMC, or Springer Nature as a publisher. The journal is editorially independent from Springer Nature, and all journals are published by Springer Nature.
"Sex differences research is not “woke gender ideology.” Sex differences research is fundamental biological science." Jill B. Becker, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, University of Michigan
"Studying sex differences is crucial for advancing healthcare in men and women. It helps us understand how diseases affect men and women differently, which better supports precision medicine and more effective healthcare." Rebecca L. Cunningham, PhD, University of North Texas Health Science Center, USA
"By understanding sex differences in health and disease, we can provide every patient with the most personalized and effective care, empowering them to live healthier, more fulfilling lives." Licy L. Yanes Cardozo, MD, University of Mississippi Medical Center, USA
"Important sex differences are the reality of human health and disease. Studying them is simply a requirement for realistic research." Joshua Rubin, MD, PhD, Washington University, USA
"Research into sex differences is critical to every aspect of the scientific and medical fields, from our basic understanding of biology to facilitating personalized medicine. This work is critical not only for developing more effective, individualized treatments, but also for addressing long-standing gaps in medical knowledge. By supporting this work, we pave the way for a more inclusive, evidence-based future in science and healthcare." Kathleen E. Morrison, PhD, West Virginia University, USA
"Sex differences in hormones, genetics, and metabolism influence how diseases develop, progress, and respond to treatment. Understanding these differences supports disease prevention, improves diagnosis, personalizes treatment, and ensures everyone receives the most effective healthcare." Sofia Ahmed, MD, MMSc, President, Organisation for the Study of Sex Differences, University of Alberta, Canada
“Research on sex differences is critical to understand disease and optimize outcomes for both women's and men's health. The Society for Women’s Health Research remains committed to our work of promoting research on biological sex differences and elevating guidelines like the Sex as a Biological Variable policy to advance women’s health, and ultimately advancing health for us all." Kathryn Schubert, CAE, MPP, President and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research
Upon submission, in your cover letter, please include the names of at least five potential reviewers, in the relevant field of research, to review your manuscript. In light of this, please ensure that there are no conflicts of interest.
Biology of Sex Differences is unlike any other scientific journal: articles focus on sex differences in all aspects of an individual or organism. Everything from molecules to behavior and from studies of cellular function to clinical research studies are reported in this journal. Biology of Sex Differences aims to improve understanding of basic biological principles mediating sex differences and foster development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools that are sex-dependent. To the extent that gender influences biological outcomes, this journal also is interested in research addressing gender differences. Articles are expected to report results that directly compare sex/gender differences in the statistical analysis.
Biology of Sex Differences addresses a broad audience of readers. Articles are expected to report and discuss their findings using language that is accessible to non-specialists in the field, please minimize discipline-specific jargon. The Title and Abstract should be understandable to non-specialists. The novelty of the findings should be clear to all readers, non-experts as well as experts. To this end, the use of abbreviations should also be kept to a minimum. We now require a Plain English summary in addition to the Abstract.
Please refer to the “About” page for further details. Note also the changes to ‘Criteria’ that have been made including the requirement for 5 suggested reviewers included in the appropriate field during submission: https://biomedcentral-bsd.publicaciones.saludcastillayleon.es/submission-guidelines
In your cover letter, please note two members of our Editorial Board to review your manuscript , dependent on the relevant expertise. In light of this, please ensure that there are no conflicts of interest.
Biology of Sex Differences is the official journal of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences, and a publication of the Society for Women's Health Research.
Watch for new special collections announcements coming soon!
The Editorial to this article has been published in Biology of Sex Differences 2025 16:32
The Review to this article has been published in Biology of Sex Differences 2025 16:33
2025
Sex differences in neurodegenerative diseases
This Collection aims to advance understanding of the complex interplay between sex/gender and neurodegenerative diseases, fostering innovations in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.
Sex differences in prenatal and neonatal life
This Collection aims to improve the knowledge and underline the importance of sex-gender impact at the beginning of life.
2024
Sex Differences in Autoimmune Disease
This Collection provides recent data and perspectives on Sex and Gender Differences in Autoimmune Diseases from leaders in the field.
Eschewing the Binary: Sex and Gender Science in Human and Non-human Animal Research
This Collection is an occasion to highlight recent research and emerging perspectives on the interaction of sex and gender as well as to convene a conversation about how the social influences the biological, and in turn, how that interaction affects individuals.
We invite invites SCOR(E) Directors to submit articles from their Specialized Centers of Research (Excellence) addressing sex/gender differences in social determinants of health as it pertains to their health topics of focus.
2023
Sex/Gender Differences in Cancer
We invite authors to submit articles to this Collection addressing the mechanisms underlying sex/gender differences in cancer incidence, treatment response, and survival.
Sex Differences and Similarities in the Human Brain
We invite authors to submit empirical studies, meta-analyses, and theoretical articles to this Collection that aims to address on what and where sex-related variation can be found, but also how large or small, and how relevant or trivial these differences seem to be.
2022
Sex Differences in COVID-19
We welcome submissions of original articles and reviews on preclinical and clinical research in which findings of new sex differences in COVID-19 are reported. We are particularly interested in studies in which potential mechanisms are tested.
Sex Differences in Development
We are interested in primary research or review articles that address sex differences in development that are influenced by environmental, social, genetic, hormonal, or other biological factors. Outcome measures may include brain, behavior and/or physiological processes in children/adolescents or animal models of these processes.
2020
Sex differences in response to androgens: physiological and pathophysiological
Guest Editor: Licy Yanes Cardozo
Hypertension, preeclampsia, renal and cardiovascular disease in pregnancy
Guest Editor: Vesna Garovic
2019
Sex Differences in Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and the Microbiome
Guest Editor: Kate Denton
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Dr. Sofia Ahmed MD MMSc FRCPC is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta, Canada. Dr. Ahmed is a clinician-scientist with a focus on sex and gender differences in human kidney/cardiovascular outcomes and the University of Alberta Chair in Sex and Gender. Her program of research is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. She is the Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Gender and Health Advisory Board, Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Journal Governing Council and the President of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences.
Dr. Ahmed completed her MD and internal medicine residency at the University of Toronto and a nephrology fellowship at Brigham and Women’s and Massachusetts General Hospitals in Boston, USA. She completed her Master’s in Medical Sciences at Harvard University. The recipient of the 2022 Hypertension Canada Senior Investigator Award, the 2021 Canadian Medical Association May Cohen Award for Women Mentors and a 2020 American Society of Nephrology Distinguished Mentor Award, Dr. Ahmed is strong proponent of the importance of mentorship and fostering excellence in the next generation of researchers.
Society for Women's Health Research
Citation Impact 2023
Journal Impact Factor: 4.9
5-year Journal Impact Factor: 6.0
Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP): 1.709
SCImago Journal Rank (SJR): 2.030
Speed 2024
Submission to first editorial decision (median days): 10
Submission to acceptance (median days): 154
Usage 2024
Downloads: 1,081,093
Altmetric mentions: 1,197