In this bitesize episode we speak with Alice Witt who speaks about a significant step towards closing the sex and gender health gap in the UK. Until now most UK medical research has been conducted primarily with male participants, animals or cells, and studies rarely analyse data in a way that enables potential sex or gender differences in outcomes to be identified. The Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity (MESSAGE) project has been working to change this, developing a landmark sex and gender policy framework for UK research funders.  

Poor attention to sex and gender has led to critical data gaps in the evidence base, with detrimental effects on health outcomes for all people, but particularly women and girls, as well as trans, non-binary and intersex people. 

Read more about the MESSAGE project and framework here.