Join C2ST for our 5th Science from the Front-lines program and learn how the severity and manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms are impacted by gender!

Gender differences in COVID-19 disease severity have been described in multiple countries, with reports indicating that men often experience more severe disease and greater mortality. Dr. Kovats will summarize available information about the observed gender differences in COVID-19 severity and outline possible social and biological explanations for this gender disparity. One hypothesis is that men and women differ in aspects of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. After a brief primer on the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, Dr. Kovats will review the evidence for sex differences in immune function in humans and animal models and describe how androgens and estrogens modulate immunity. She will explain how COVID-19 patient blood samples might be used to understand the gender differences in immune responses at the molecular and cellular level.

Join C2ST and our panel of local experts for a panel discussion on health inequalities and how they are contributing to COVID-19 rates. Across the United States, tracking COVID-19 has indicated disproportionate rates affecting African American and Black communities. For Chicago, this means taking a closer look at the experiences of Southside and Westside communities. While research is in the initial stages, examining existing inequalities and what they mean for a community’s health provides insight into this ongoing issue.