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.