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Integrating Sex/Gender into Environmental Health Research: Development of a Conceptual Framework

Author

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  • Gabriele Bolte

    (Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
    Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Katharina Jacke

    (Gender and Science Research Unit, Institute of History, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany)

  • Katrin Groth

    (Section II 1.2 Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Ute Kraus

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany)

  • Lisa Dandolo

    (Department of Social Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
    Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Lotta Fiedel

    (Gender and Science Research Unit, Institute of History, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany)

  • Malgorzata Debiak

    (Section II 1.2 Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Marike Kolossa-Gehring

    (Section II 1.2 Toxicology, Health-Related Environmental Monitoring, German Environment Agency, 14195 Berlin, Germany)

  • Alexandra Schneider

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany)

  • Kerstin Palm

    (Gender and Science Research Unit, Institute of History, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

There is a growing awareness about the need to comprehensively integrate sex and gender into health research in order to enhance the validity and significance of research results. An in-depth consideration of differential exposures and vulnerability is lacking, especially within environmental risk assessment. Thus, the interdisciplinary team of the collaborative research project INGER (integrating gender into environmental health research) aimed to develop a multidimensional sex/gender concept as a theoretically grounded starting point for the operationalization of sex and gender in quantitative (environmental) health research. The iterative development process was based on gender theoretical and health science approaches and was inspired by previously published concepts or models of sex- and gender-related dimensions. The INGER sex/gender concept fulfills the four theoretically established prerequisites for comprehensively investigating sex and gender aspects in population health research: multidimensionality, variety, embodiment, and intersectionality. The theoretical foundation of INGER’s multidimensional sex/gender concept will be laid out, as well as recent sex/gender conceptualization developments in health sciences. In conclusion, by building upon the latest state of research of several disciplines, the conceptual framework will significantly contribute to integrating gender theoretical concepts into (environmental) health research, improving the validity of research and, thus, supporting the promotion of health equity in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Bolte & Katharina Jacke & Katrin Groth & Ute Kraus & Lisa Dandolo & Lotta Fiedel & Malgorzata Debiak & Marike Kolossa-Gehring & Alexandra Schneider & Kerstin Palm, 2021. "Integrating Sex/Gender into Environmental Health Research: Development of a Conceptual Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12118-:d:682210
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sophie Ch. Fichter & Katrin Groth & Nina Fiedler & Marike Kolossa-Gehring & Małgorzata Dębiak & on behalf of the INGER Study Group, 2022. "Lysmeral Exposure in Children and Adolescences Participating in the German Environmental Survey (2012–2015): Integrating Sex/Gender into Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Marisa Baré & Marina Lleal & Daniel Sevilla-Sánchez & Sara Ortonobes & Susana Herranz & Olivia Ferrandez & Celia Corral-Vázquez & Núria Molist & Gloria Julia Nazco & Candelaria Martín-González & Migue, 2023. "Sex Differences in Multimorbidity, Inappropriate Medication and Adverse Outcomes of Inpatient Care: MoPIM Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Alexander Rojas & Douglas Molina-Orjuela & Laura Peña-Rodríguez & Andrea Hernández-Quirama & Mauricio Rojas-Betancur & Claudia Amaya-Castellanos & Laura A. Rodríguez-Villamizar & Alvaro J. Idrovo, 2023. "Contrary Perceptions of Environmental Health and the Governance of the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Sophie Horstmann & Corinna Schmechel & Kerstin Palm & Sabine Oertelt-Prigione & Gabriele Bolte, 2022. "The Operationalisation of Sex and Gender in Quantitative Health–Related Research: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Lisa Dandolo & Christina Hartig & Klaus Telkmann & Sophie Horstmann & Lars Schwettmann & Peter Selsam & Alexandra Schneider & Gabriele Bolte & on behalf of the INGER Study Group, 2022. "Decision Tree Analyses to Explore the Relevance of Multiple Sex/Gender Dimensions for the Exposure to Green Spaces: Results from the KORA INGER Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-25, June.
    6. Anastasia Rogova & Isabel Martinez Leal & Maggie Britton & Shine Chang & Kamisha H. Escoto & Kayce D. Solari Williams & Crystal Roberson & Lorna H. McNeill & Lorraine R. Reitzel, 2022. "Promoting Cancer Health Equity: A Qualitative Study of Mentee and Mentor Perspectives of a Training Program for Underrepresented Scholars in Cancer Health Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-22, June.
    7. Lisa Dandolo & Klaus Telkmann & Christina Hartig & Sophie Horstmann & Sara Pedron & Lars Schwettmann & Peter Selsam & Alexandra Schneider & Gabriele Bolte & on behalf of the INGER Study Group, 2023. "Do Multiple Sex/Gender Dimensions Play a Role in the Association of Green Space and Self-Rated Health? Model-Based Recursive Partitioning Results from the KORA INGER Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-23, March.

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