Trends in the Use and Discussion of Race in Pediatrics Articles Over 75 Years.
Journal
Pediatrics
ISSN: 1098-4275
Titre abrégé: Pediatrics
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0376422
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
09 Apr 2024
09 Apr 2024
Historique:
accepted:
06
02
2024
medline:
9
4
2024
pubmed:
9
4
2024
entrez:
9
4
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Race-based medicine, which falsely assumes that race is biological, is common in the published medical literature. We analyzed trends in the use of race in Pediatrics articles over a 75-year period. We analyzed a random sample of 50 original research articles published each decade in Pediatrics from 1948 to 2022. Of 375 articles, 39% (n = 147) included race. Among articles, 85% (n = 116) used race only to describe study subjects, 7% (n = 9) described race as a social construct, and 11% (n = 15) described race as a biological construct. Only 7% (n = 10) of studies provided a reason for including race. Statements reflective of racial bias or discrimination were identified in 22% (n = 30) of the articles that mentioned race. Although statements concerning for explicit racial bias were uncommon, with none identified in the most recent decade, statements suggestive of implicit racial bias still occurred (22%, 5 of 23). Race was presented as a dichotomy, such as "white/nonwhite," in 9% of studies (n = 12). Regarding currently nonrecommended terminology, the term "minorities" was used in 13% of studies (n = 18); 25% of studies used the term "others" (n = 34), and among these, 91% (n = 31 of 34) did not provide any definition, an occurrence that increased over time at a rate of 0.9%/year. Although there has been improvement over the past 75 years in the reporting of race in published studies in Pediatrics, significant opportunities for further improvement remain.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
UNASSIGNED
Race-based medicine, which falsely assumes that race is biological, is common in the published medical literature. We analyzed trends in the use of race in Pediatrics articles over a 75-year period.
METHODS
UNASSIGNED
We analyzed a random sample of 50 original research articles published each decade in Pediatrics from 1948 to 2022.
RESULTS
UNASSIGNED
Of 375 articles, 39% (n = 147) included race. Among articles, 85% (n = 116) used race only to describe study subjects, 7% (n = 9) described race as a social construct, and 11% (n = 15) described race as a biological construct. Only 7% (n = 10) of studies provided a reason for including race. Statements reflective of racial bias or discrimination were identified in 22% (n = 30) of the articles that mentioned race. Although statements concerning for explicit racial bias were uncommon, with none identified in the most recent decade, statements suggestive of implicit racial bias still occurred (22%, 5 of 23). Race was presented as a dichotomy, such as "white/nonwhite," in 9% of studies (n = 12). Regarding currently nonrecommended terminology, the term "minorities" was used in 13% of studies (n = 18); 25% of studies used the term "others" (n = 34), and among these, 91% (n = 31 of 34) did not provide any definition, an occurrence that increased over time at a rate of 0.9%/year.
CONCLUSIONS
UNASSIGNED
Although there has been improvement over the past 75 years in the reporting of race in published studies in Pediatrics, significant opportunities for further improvement remain.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38591136
pii: 197082
doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-064819
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES: Dr Nama (2021–2022) and Dr Panda (2022–2024) have served as editorial fellows on the Pediatrics editorial board. Dr Montez is an associate editor of Pediatrics, and Dr Nafiu is a member of the Pediatrics editorial board. Dr First is the editor in chief and Dr Kemper is the deputy editor of Pediatrics.