“…8 Other studies likewise consistently showed significant sex-specific differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis, with male sex as a risk factor for severe disease and mortality. 16,[19][20][21][22] Potential Causes of Sex and Gender Differences in This striking support for a male bias toward worse clinical outcomes in the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated by the global epidemiologic data deserves investigation of the mechanisms underlying these sex-and perhaps genderbased differences. There are multiple plausible explanations, including (1) sex-specific biological differences (differences in the immune or inflammatory response, genetic profile, hormone types and levels, and differential expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2], the receptor for SARS CoV-2); (2) gender-specific behavioral or lifestyle differences; and/or (3) differences in underlying comorbid conditions.…”