AB1350 EMINENCE AWARDS IN RHEUMATOLOGY: A GENDER EQUITY ANALYSIS ACROSS INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY DATA
Authors: D. Roy, L. Andreoli, P. V. Ovseiko, D. Dzifa, Y. Ravindran, A. M. Arredondo-González, S. Singla, C. E. Toro-Gutierrez, L. Gupta
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Gender equity refers to the fair and impartial treatment of individuals, irrespective of their gender. While the workforce in the health sector is predominantly female, previously published data highlight a low female representation in leadership positions within rheumatology, editorial boards of specialized journals, and lower academic productivity related to publications. Awards serve important functions in recognizing exemplary individuals who uphold the values and objectives cherished by award-granting institutions. In the field of rheumatology, scientific associations employ awards to highlight the trailblazing work of members, rendering it more visible. <h3>Objectives:</h3> This descriptive analysis aims to assess gender equity in eminence awards based on available data from the leading regional rheumatology societies worldwide. <h3>Methods:</h3> A gender equity analysis of eminence awards was conducted using available online data from international society registries: the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR), the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR), and the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR), spanning from 1988 to 2023. An analysis was conducted for each continent separately, and the data were examined by decades to assess the trend of awards in terms of the percentage of men and women receiving these recognitions. <h3>Results:</h3> Out of 1,042 total awardees, 864 were male (82.91%) compared to 178 female recipients (17.08%), revealing significant gender imbalance. Analyzing gender parity across continents, Europe exhibited relatively better representation, with 31.03% of female award recipients (18 out of 58). In comparison, the proportions in other regions were 14.28% (5 out of 35) in the Asia-Pacific, 16.03% (152 out of 908) in North, Central, and South America, and 30% (3 out of 10) in Africa. A decade-long analysis was to examine the temporal evolution of gender disparity trends indicated a discernible trend in narrowing gender gap (i.e., 12.5% pre-1990, 16.66% in 1991-2000, 21.5% in 2001-2010, 20% in 2011-2020, and 36.17% from 2021 onwards) (Figure 1). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> The noteworthy disparity in the recognition of female rheumatologists with awards emphasizes the need for prompt action to address and rectify this imbalance. It is imperative to concentrate on organizational strategies aimed at promoting gender equity in acknowledging excellence within the field. The precise root cause of this inequity remains unclear, but it is likely influenced by a combination of factors such as gender bias, an unfavorable climate, unconscious discrimination, and a limited presence of senior female role models. We strongly advocate for regional rheumatology leagues to proactively bridge this gap by introducing constructive initiatives that foster positive change. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>