Gender Parity Analysis of the Editorial Boards of Influential Dermatology Journals: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

Abstract

UNSTRUCTURED This study underscores the persistent underrepresentation of women in academic dermatology leadership positions by examining the gender composition of editorial boards across top dermatology journals, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dermatology Journals’ Editorial Boards Require Improved Gender Equity: JMIR Dermatology’s Future Directions

“…One review study of all dermatology journals found that only 22% of editorial board members were women [ 8 ]. Another recent analysis exploring gender parity of the top 20 dermatology journals’ editorial boards found that women comprised a median of 33.4% (IQR 27.2%-46.9%) of their editorial boards [ 9 ]. Only in 4 of the 20 top journals did women comprise a >50% average of the editorial board [ 9 ], even though a 2018 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that 51% of full-time, faculty dermatologists are women [ 10 ].…”

“…Another recent analysis exploring gender parity of the top 20 dermatology journals’ editorial boards found that women comprised a median of 33.4% (IQR 27.2%-46.9%) of their editorial boards [ 9 ]. Only in 4 of the 20 top journals did women comprise a >50% average of the editorial board [ 9 ], even though a 2018 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that 51% of full-time, faculty dermatologists are women [ 10 ]. Among the top 20 journals, 75% had a male editor-in-chief [ 9 ] and 81% of all dermatology journals had a male editor-in-chief [ 8 ].…”

“…Only in 4 of the 20 top journals did women comprise a >50% average of the editorial board [ 9 ], even though a 2018 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges found that 51% of full-time, faculty dermatologists are women [ 10 ]. Among the top 20 journals, 75% had a male editor-in-chief [ 9 ] and 81% of all dermatology journals had a male editor-in-chief [ 8 ].…”