Journal Article

Race/Ethnicity and Gender Representation in Hematology and Oncology Editorial Boards: What is the State of Diversity?

Riano, Ivy, Lizette Salinas, Alexandra, Geiger, Gabriella, Pimienta, Jacqueline, Dhawan, Natasha, Ai, Angela, Dizman, Nazli, Florez, Narjust, Abuali, Inas, Patel, Shruti R, Ramirez Roggio, Adriana, Pomares-Millan, Hugo

2023

Overview

Introduction Women and underrepresented groups in medicine hold few academic leadership positions in the field of hematology/oncology. In this study, we assessed gender and race/ethnicity representation in editorial board positions in hematology/oncology journals. Materials and Methods Editorial leadership board members from 60 major journals in hematology and oncology were reviewed; 54 journals were included in the final analysis. Gender and race/ethnicity were determined based on publicly available data for Editor-in-Chief (EiC) and Second-in-Command (SiC) (including deputy, senior, or associate editors). Descriptive statistics and chi-squared were estimated. In the second phase of the study, editors were emailed a 4-item survey to self-identify their demographics. Results Out of 793 editorial board members, 72.6% were men and 27.4% were women. Editorial leadership were non-Hispanic white (71.1%) with Asian editorial board members representing the second largest majority at 22.5%. Women comprised only 15.9% of the EiC positions (90% White and 10% Asian). Women were about half as likely to be in the EiC position compared with men [pOR 0.47 (95% CI, 0.23-0.95, P = .03)]. Women represented 28.3% of SiC editorial positions. Surgical oncology had the lowest female representation at 2.3%. Conclusion Women and minorities are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles on Editorial Boards in hematology/oncology journals. Importantly, the representation of minority women physicians in EiC positions is at an inexorable zero. Assessing gender and race representation in leadership editorial board positions in major journals is critical in furthering equity. This article examines the gender and race/ethnicity representation in editorial board positions at leading hematology and oncology journals.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Subject: Annan samhällsvetenskap / Community Outreach / Demographic aspects / Ethnicity / Gender / Gender Studies / Genusstudier / Health aspects / Hematology / Medical journals / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Oncology / Other Social Sciences / Periodical editors / Race / Samhällsvetenskap / Social aspects / Social Sciences / Workplace multiculturalism