Authors:
Meghan Etsey MS3, Bethany Fenton MS3, Ariela Marshall MD on behalf of AMWA Gender Equity Task Force
Who decides what research studies make it into the general public? Who holds the power to shape the narrative of medical advancement? These are questions that get to the heart of how medical knowledge is produced, validated, and shared with the world. In many ways, the answers lie within the editorial boards of medical journals—the gatekeepers who determine which studies are published and which ideas gain traction. A close look reveals that those in positions of power in these journals are often disproportionately male. This gender disparity can have far-reaching implications, not only for the representation of diverse perspectives in medical research but also for the research priorities that shape global healthcare. In this blog post, we will delve into the gender disparities that persist among medical journal editors and explore how these inequalities influence various aspects of the healthcare research ecosystem.
A comprehensive study published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals a stark underrepresentation of women in academic editorial roles. Despite women constituting 26% of authors in the dataset, they represent only 14% of editors and 8% of editors-in-chief (Liu, 2023). This disparity exists even after accounting for career length, suggesting that other factors contribute to the inequality. Further research has been done that aligns with these findings. An analysis of leading oncology journals found that women comprised only 24% of editorial boards, (Dai, 2022). A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that for 76% of psychology journals and 88% of neuroscience journals, more than 50% of editors were male, indicating a noteworthy gender imbalance in these fields (Palser, Lazerwitz, & Fotopoulou, 2022). Research in the BJS Open journal revealed that women accounted for only 20.2% of editorial board members in general surgery journals, a statistic that fully supports the fact that there is a notable gender imbalance (O’Connor, Brown, & Green, 2021). Addressing this issue is crucial for promoting fairness and integrity in academic publishing.
The underrepresentation of women in editorial positions has notable implications for the direction of medical research. Editors have significant influence over which studies are published, which can shape research agendas and funding priorities. A lack of diverse perspectives means research topics pertinent to women’s health may go unpublished. Gender disparities among editors may perpetuate biases in the peer-review process. Studies indicate that male editors are more likely to select male reviewers, which can disadvantage female authors and impede the publication of diverse research (Miller & Lee, 1994). This demonstrates how the gender gap in editorial positions affects research priorities while also influencing the dissemination of medical knowledge.
Underrepresentation of women in medical research is crucial because it limits the diversity of perspectives and insights. When women are absent from these roles, research focusing on women’s health may not receive the critical evaluation it warrants. This can lead to notable gaps in medical literature, evidence-based guidelines, and recommendations. Patient care may suffer, as treatments and interventions might not fully address or even recognize the unique health concerns of women. An article from RTI Health Advance highlights the consequences of excluding females from research, including delays in care, withheld treatments, or the application of inappropriate or ineffective care (RTI Health Advance, n.d.). Ensuring diverse representation on editorial boards is not merely a matter of equity; it’s essential for the advancement of medical science and the well-being of all patients.
There is a long road ahead to reach gender equity within medical research, and we propose several ways that we can begin to tackle this disparity. Addressing gender disparities in medical journal editorial positions requires a multifaceted approach. First, we believe that journals should implement policies that encourage the inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups in editorial positions. Additionally, there need to be established mentorship initiatives that can support women in navigating the academic world and for those who are aspiring to leadership roles. By providing training to recognize and mitigate implicit biases, we can also foster a more inclusive selection process for editorial positions. Lastly, institutions should offer more flexible work arrangements to accommodate the diverse needs of their staff, making leadership roles more accessible to everyone.
The evidence is undeniable: numerous studies have consistently highlighted the significant gender disparity in medical research. Addressing this imbalance is no longer a future goal but a current imperative. By adopting straightforward, actionable measures within the research community, we can begin to close this gap quickly. However, a critical obstacle remains: many are still unaware of the extent of this disparity. Therefore, raising awareness and disseminating knowledge about this inequity is essential to initiate meaningful progress. Let this be a call to action—for everyone to educate themselves and, just as importantly, to empower others with this knowledge, paving the way for a more equitable future in medical research, for ourselves, and for our patients.
References
Dai, N. (2022). Gender representation on editorial boards of leading oncology journals. Clinical Oncology, 34(12), 1–8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9588884/
Liu, F. (2023). Gender inequality and self-publication are common among academic editors. Nature Human Behaviour. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-022-01498-1
Miller, R. M., & Lee, K. K. (1994). Gender bias in editorial decision making: Male editors are more likely to select male reviewers. JAMA, 272(18), 1365–1369. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8015126/
O’Connor, E. A., Brown, L. P., & Green, H. A. (2021). Gender representation in editorial boards of leading general surgery journals. BJS Open, 5(2). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33839744/
Palser, E. R., Lazerwitz, M., & Fotopoulou, A. (2022). Gender and geographical disparity in editorial boards of journals in psychology and neuroscience. Nature Neuroscience, 25, 272–279. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01012-w
RTI Health Advance. (n.d.). Invisible women: Pervasive gender bias impacts female health. RTI International. Retrieved January 11, 2025, from https://healthcare.rti.org/insights/gender-bias-impacts-female-health
About the Authors:
Meghan Etsey is a third year medical student from St. George’s University. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Biology and a Bachelors of Arts in Nutrition and Dietetics from Bluffton University in Bluffton, Ohio. She served as the President of the St. George’s University’s Women in Medicine chapter in St. George, Grenada where she expanded relationships with the community and worked towards educating women and helping the youth. She is also a member of the Gender Equity Task Force and Sex and Gender Health Collaborative Committees within the American Medical Women’s Association. When she is not pursuing medicine, you can find her with her friends and family on different road trips and adventures exploring the world.
Bethany Fenton is a third year medical student from St. George’s University. She holds a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Kentucky and received a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Eastern Kentucky University. She worked as a critical care dietitian for ten years prior to pursuing medical school. She is also a member of the Gender Equity Task Force and Sex and Nutrition and Medicine Working Group Committees within the American Medical Women’s Association. When she’s not studying, you can find her spending time with her husband and cats, using her Holga camera for experimental photography, lifting weights at the gym, playing board games, and reading science fiction novels.
Dr. Ariela Marshall is a Harvard-trained physician and an internationally renowned advocate, career development advisor, and mentor. Dr. Marshall specializes in bleeding and clotting disorders, especially as they relate to women’s health. She has worked at Mayo Clinic and the University of Pennsylvania and currently practices part-time as a consultative hematologist at the University of Minnesota. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Marshall is a highly respected leader, mentor, and speaker. She is an active leader with the American Society of Hematology (where she led efforts to found the Women in Hematology Working Group and currently holds seats on the Women in Heme Working Group, Committee on Communications and Media Experts Subcommittee) and American Medical Women’s Association (leading the Infertility Working Group and holding seats on the Gender Equity Task Force). She is the Chief Innovation Officer at Women in Medicine and the Curriculum Chair at IGNITEMed, which are both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to promoting career development for women in medicine. She speaks regularly on a national and international scope to discuss her efforts to advance career development and mentorship for physicians, gender equity, fertility/infertility awareness, parental health and wellbeing, reproductive health and rights, and work-life integration.