The gendered dimensions of COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 does not discriminate, but without careful consideration, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic might. Demographic data from small studies are already informing political decisions and clinical research strategies. Women and men are affected by COVID-19, but biology and gender norms are shaping the disease burden. The success of the global response—the ability of both women and men to survive and recover from the pandemic's effects—will depend on the quality of evidence informing the response and the extent to which data represent sex and gender differences.

Global Health 50/50 tracks sex-disaggregated infection and mortality COVID-19 data from the 39 most-affected countries. Some countries, including the UK, the USA, Russia, and Brazil, have yet to report such data. From those that have, it is unclear whether women or men are more likely to become infected, but more men are dying from COVID-19. Adverse outcomes of COVID-19 seem to be associated with comorbidities, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. These conditions are more prevalent in men and are linked to smoking and drinking alcohol—behaviours associated with masculine norms.

Women carry a different kind of burden from COVID-19. Inequities disproportionately affect their wellbeing and economic resilience during lockdowns. Households are under strain, but child care, elderly care, and housework typically fall on women. Concerns over increased domestic violence are growing. With health services overstretched and charities under-resourced, women's sexual and reproductive health services, as well as prenatal and postnatal care, are disrupted.

The European Association of Science Editors and other organisations urge all involved in collecting COVID-19 data to follow guidelines (eg, CONSORT, STROBE) and include age and sex in demographic data. We echo this call and encourage a gender focus in all research efforts. Obscuring sex and gender differences in treatment and vaccine development could result in harm. Incomplete reporting compromises meta-analyses. Addressing the health needs of men and women equally will help societies recover and resist future human tragedies.