Abstract 1288: Evaluating gender and country of origin diversity on editorial boards in thoracic, gastrointestinal, and breast oncology journals
Authors: Arter Zhaohui Liao , Hsu Robert , Benjamin David 
Published: March 2024

Background: The composition and diversity of editorial board members in oncology journals are critical indicators of the field's inclusivity and global perspective. Despite a historical trend of female underrepresentation on editorial boards of peer-reviewed medical journals, the extent of diversity within oncology's various subspecialties remains less understood. This study aims to elucidate the landscape of gender and economic diversity among editorial boards in three major oncology subspecialties: thoracic, gastrointestinal (GI), and breast oncology.

Methods: 5 top oncology journals in thoracic, GI, and breast oncology were selected based on 2022 Journal Citation Reports impact factors (Clarivate). Editorial board members, identified from each journal's website, were assessed for economic diversity using the World Bank's 2024 high-income country classification and gender based on academic profile data. Chi-square tests evaluated the gender and economic diversity differences.

Results: A total of 762 editor positions from 15 journals were analyzed across the 3 subspecialties. In thoracic oncology, 64.6% were men, 33.5% women, with 7.3% from non-high-income countries. In GI oncology, 84.5% were men, 10.5% women, with 11.1% from non-high-income countries. In breast oncology, 59.3% were men, 39.7% women, with 2.8% from non-high-income countries. Significant disparities in gender and geographical origin were noted (χ² &lt; 0.01). A majority of GI oncology journal editors are based in Asia (66.1%), while in thoracic and breast oncology, most editors are located in North America and Europe. Among 17 editors-in-chief, 88.2% were men, all from high-income countries.

Conclusion: The study highlights a significant gender imbalance and a predominance of editors from high-income countries in oncology journals. This imbalance underscores the need for greater inclusivity and diversity in the editorial boards of prominent oncology journals.

Gender and country of origin representation among thoracic, GI, and breast oncology Journals Editors in Subspecialties Male Female Unknown Gender Originating from High-Income Country Originating from Middle- or Low-Income Country Continent Thoracic Oncology (N=206) 133 (64.6%) 69 (33.5%) 4 (1.9%) 191 (92.7%) 15 (7.3%) Asia: 37 (18.0%) Africa: 1 (0.5%) Australia: 7 (3.4%) Europe: 73 (35.4%) North America: 86 (41.7%) South America: 2 (1.0%) GI oncology (N=342) 289 (84.5%) 36(10.5%) 17 (5%) 304 (88.9%) 38 (11.1%) Asia: 226 (66.1%) Africa: 1 (0.3%) Australia: 2 (0.6%) Europe: 71 (20.8%) North America: 40 (11.7%) South America: 2 (0.6%) Breast Oncology (N=214) 127 (59.3%) 85 (39.7%) 2 (0.9%) 208 (97.2%) 6 (2.8%) Asia: 10 (4.7%) Australia: 10 (4.7%) Europe: 63 (29.4%) North America: 130 (60.7%) South America: 1 (0.5%)

Citation Format: Zhaohui Liao Arter, Robert Hsu, David Benjamin. Evaluating gender and country of origin diversity on editorial boards in thoracic, gastrointestinal, and breast oncology journals [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1288.