Sex And Gender Equity in Research (SAGER): reporting guidelines as a framework of innovation for an equitable approach to gender medicine

Abstract

Sex and gender are important determinants of health and influence research findings in  variety of ways, yet they are often overlooked and underreported. This oversight limits he generalizability of research findings and their applicability to clinical practice. The bjective of this paper is to point out how journal editors can influence better reporting of sex and gender in research by establishing a methodological framework directly addressing vuthors of scientific publications, as well as referees, and indirectly affecting all the stakeholders in the research cycle, from funders to policy-makers and citizens. Such  framework is represented by the Sex And Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines, developed by the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) to encourage a more systematic approach to the reporting of sex and gender in research across disciplines. The paper includes the rationale and basic principles of the SAGER guidelines.