Neglecting sex and gender in research poses a significant public health risk. Research shows that considering sex and gender in studies can improve health outcomes for billions. For example, a 2022 drug trial for Alzheimer's disease showed it was more effective in men than women, highlighting the need to account for sex and gender in research. Despite efforts by funders and publishers to encourage this, many diseases, including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, show sex and gender differences in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. These differences may stem from biological factors, environmental exposures, and gender-related social and behavioral influences. In clinical trials, sex and gender are often not adequately considered, leading to underrepresentation of women and other groups. This can result in treatments that are less effective for certain populations. For instance, women are more likely to die after a heart attack than men, and women are less likely to be referred to cardiologists. Similarly, cancer outcomes vary between men and women, with some cancers being more common in one sex than the other. Research on cancer cell lines often uses male-dominated samples, which may skew results. To address these issues, policy changes are needed, such as the 2016 NIH call for including both sexes in studies. Awareness-building among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers is essential. Initiatives like those by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research have increased the proportion of research proposals that consider sex and gender. However, more efforts are needed to ensure inclusivity in clinical trials and to incorporate sex and gender into research and healthcare practices. The use of AI and other technologies offers new opportunities to improve diagnosis and treatment, but these must be applied with awareness of sex and gender differences. Overall, integrating sex and gender into research is crucial for improving health outcomes for all.Neglecting sex and gender in research poses a significant public health risk. Research shows that considering sex and gender in studies can improve health outcomes for billions. For example, a 2022 drug trial for Alzheimer's disease showed it was more effective in men than women, highlighting the need to account for sex and gender in research. Despite efforts by funders and publishers to encourage this, many diseases, including Alzheimer's, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, show sex and gender differences in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. These differences may stem from biological factors, environmental exposures, and gender-related social and behavioral influences. In clinical trials, sex and gender are often not adequately considered, leading to underrepresentation of women and other groups. This can result in treatments that are less effective for certain populations. For instance, women are more likely to die after a heart attack than men, and women are less likely to be referred to cardiologists. Similarly, cancer outcomes vary between men and women, with some cancers being more common in one sex than the other. Research on cancer cell lines often uses male-dominated samples, which may skew results. To address these issues, policy changes are needed, such as the 2016 NIH call for including both sexes in studies. Awareness-building among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers is essential. Initiatives like those by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research have increased the proportion of research proposals that consider sex and gender. However, more efforts are needed to ensure inclusivity in clinical trials and to incorporate sex and gender into research and healthcare practices. The use of AI and other technologies offers new opportunities to improve diagnosis and treatment, but these must be applied with awareness of sex and gender differences. Overall, integrating sex and gender into research is crucial for improving health outcomes for all.