Addressing Sex/Gender and Equality in Systematic Reviews of Health Interventions: Measurement and Beyond

Systematic reviews are highly structured syntheses of evidence from multiple research
studies widely used to guide clinical decisions, technology assessments, health policies
and research. Systematic reviews can also help to determine whether interventions are
likely to reduce inequities in health. However, many reviews do not systematically address
how sex/gender- related processes may influence the outcomes of health interventions.
Come and listen to these distinguished presenters discuss the conceptual, methodological,
practical and policy challenges of addressing the effects of biological (‘sex’)/social-cultural
(‘gender’) processes in systematic reviews with a view to promoting gender equity and
strengthening health outcomes for all.

Sari Tudiver is a cultural anthropologist with a longstanding interest in women’s health and the
dynamics of gender relations. Over four decades, she has worked in academic settings (college and university), for non-governmental organizations (international development and women’s health NGOs) and for the Canadian federal government (health policy) and remains interested in the differences in discourse and the challenges of knowledge creation and translation in each of these sectors.

Vivian Welch is a scientist and methods lead at the Bruyere Research Institute, Bruyere Continuing Care and University of Ottawa. Her research interests include rapid reviews, and methods to consider health equity in systematic reviews, clinical guidelines and primary research. Vivian led the development of a reporting guideline for equity-focused systematic reviews, as an extension to the internationally recognized PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses).