Equity and the JAMA Network

Abstract

The key objective of JAMA is "To promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of the public health"; similar objectives and mission statements are supported by all 12 JAMA Network Journals.Together this family of journals is committed to publishing the best research, reviews, and opinion articles to advance medical science, promote public health, and improve patient care.The ultimate goal is to promulgate truth in science and medicine.On February 23, 2021, a podcast titled "Structural Racism for Doctors-What Is It?" was posted by the JAMA Network and on the following day, a tweet was posted to promote the podcast.Assertions in both that disavowed the presence of structural racism in medicine and among physicians were wrong, misguided, and uninformed.An extensive evidence base strongly supports the presence of structural racism in medicine and its adverse influence on health. 1 The process for reviewing and publishing the podcast and tweet was also flawed.On March 4, 2021, Howard Bauchner, MD, editor in chief of JAMA and the 12 JAMA Network Journals, took responsibility and issued an apology for the podcast and tweet.This editorial team also expresses a profound apology for the misinformation in the podcast and tweet and recognizes the hurt, anger, and outrage that resulted.These events and developments make it clear that JAMA and the JAMA Network Journals can and must do better and advance toward inclusion and antiracism in all journalrelated activities.Even though these journals have made progress, additional commitment and work are needed to build on and intensify these efforts to achieve meaningful, sustainable change.For instance, previous efforts include the more than 650 research, review, and opinion articles on race, racism, and racial and ethnic disparities and inequities that have been published in JAMA and the JAMA Network Journals since 2015, 1 including editorials in JAMA on topics such as race and medical research, 2 race and poverty and medicine, 3 enhancing diversity in medical schools, 4 and equity related to COVID-19 vaccines. 5n addition, within the past year, JAMA Network Open and JAMA Health Forum issued calls for manuscripts on prevention and effects of systemic racism in health 6,7 ; JAMA Psychiatry initiated an editorial fellowship prioritized to early-career academic psychiatrists from underrepresented backgrounds; and JAMA Surgery issued a "Call to Action" to all surgery journal editors for diversity in the editorial and peer review process. 8

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