BACKGROUND
While progress is evident in gender and ethnic representation in the workplace, this disparity remains prevalent in academic positions.


OBJECTIVES
We examined gender and Asian ethnic representation in editorial boards of cardiology journals.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly available data on Cardiology and Cardiovascular medicine journals in first quartile of the 2020 Scimago Journal & Country Rank indicator. The proportions of female and Asian editorial board members, associate editors and editors-in-chief were assessed. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the journal's geographical origin, subspecialty, and demographic of the editor-in-chief.


RESULTS
Seventy-six cardiology journals, involving 8915 editorial board members, were included. Only 19.6% of editorial board members were female, 20.8% Asians, and 4.0% Asian females. There were less female representation amongst editors-in-chief (9.9%) compared to associate editors (22.3%). European (18.1%) and North American-based journals (21.1%) had higher female representation compared to Asian-based journals (8.7%). There was lower Asian representation in European (18.1%) and North American-based journals (19.9%) compared to Asian-based journals (72.3%). Females were underrepresented in interventional (14.5%) journals, while Asians were underrepresented in general cardiology (18.3%) and heart failure (18.3%) journals. Journals led by female editors-in-chief had significantly higher female representation compared to male-led ones, while journals with Asian editors-in-chief had greater Asian representation compared to non-Asian led ones.


CONCLUSION
This study highlights the female and Asian ethnic underrepresentation in academic roles in cardiology journal editorial boards. Further analysis is needed for other ethnicities, while the community pushes towards gender-balanced and ethnic diversity across editorial boards.

Disparity in Female and Asian Representation Amongst Cardiology Journal Editorial Boards Members: A Call for Empowerment.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in adult women in the USA, yet CVD is underrecognized in women. Disparities in care are further pronounced in women of racial/ethnic minority backgrounds. In this review, we discuss the role of social media (SoMe) as a tool to (i) promote women’s cardiovascular (CV) health and (ii) address and potentially reduce gaps in care, particularly in general cardiology (targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), cardio-oncology, and cardio-obstetrics. We also briefly discuss women’s CV health as a common, although not unique, focus of women in cardiology on SoMe. Studies have suggested the utility of social media to help advance subspecialties of cardiology. Leaders within general cardiology, cardio-oncology, and cardio-obstetrics have curated social media strategies to advance their respective fields and call attention to cardiovascular health disparities in female populations and racial/ethnic minorities. In addition to these types of uses, women in cardiology also frequently use SoMe to encourage a career in cardiology and to share experiences, challenges, and resources for support and career advancement as healthcare professionals; men in cardiology and especially those who are allies for sex and racial/ethnic minorities also use SoMe for these means. Herein, we highlight the role and myriad applications of social media in the promotion of women’s cardiovascular health. We discuss five primary roles of social media: increasing public awareness, disseminating medical literature in a rapid and accessible fashion, facilitating professional networking, serving as a platform for medical conferences, and empowering patients. These core strategies are discussed through the lens of general cardiology, cardio-oncology, and cardio-obstetrics. We also demonstrate how these applications can be leveraged to increase representation of women in cardiology, also supporting an increased focus on women’s cardiovascular health. 

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Social Media and Cardiovascular Health: Implications for Women.

Many women physicians have blazed trails and played instrumental roles in advancing the field of Advanced Heart Failure (AHF), Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS), and cardiac transplantation to its current recognition and glory. In contrast to other areas of cardiology, women have played an integral role in the evolution and emergence of this sub-specialty. Although the ceiling had been broken much later for women cardiothoracic (CT) surgeons in the field of AHF, the ingress of women into surgical fields particularly CT surgery was stonewalled due to pervasive stereotyping. The constancy, commitment, and contributions of women to the field of AHF and MCS cannot be minimized in bringing this field to the forefront of innovation both from technological aspect as well as in redesigning of healthcare delivery models. Integrated team-based approach is a necessity for the optimal care of MCS patients and forced institutions to develop this approach when patients with durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) began discharging from the hospitals to local communities. Women in various roles in this field played a pivotal role in developing and designing patient centered care and coordination of care in a multidisciplinary manner. While embracing the challenges and turning them to opportunities, establishing partnerships and finding solutions with expectations to egalitarianism, women in this field continue to push boundaries and subscribe to the continued evolution of the field of AHF and advanced cardiac therapies.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.961404/pdf

Women in mechanical circulatory support: She persisted!

The objective of the study is to explore diversity and perceptions related to culture among New York City sonography clinicians and educators and determine whether this specific workforce is keeping pace with the changing demographics of the city population. An 18-question survey, which addressed demographics, work environment, and perceptions about diversity and inclusion in the workplace, was disseminated to sonography educators and hospitals in the five boroughs of New York City. A total of 112 sonographers responded and 50% were White/Caucasian, 34.16% represented Asian/Pacific Islander (17.5%), Black/African American (10.83%), Hispanic/Latino (5%), and Native American/Alaskan Native (0.83%) populations, as well as 15.83% preferred not to respond. Most sonographers identified their gender as female. The 21 to 30 years age group was the least represented, and the age group 31 to 51+ years represented over three-quarters of the workforce. Most respondents worked with culturally diverse staff and were satisfied with their work environment. However, the Black/African American group showed the lowest average satisfaction score, and their responses were the least positive. In this cohort of respondents, Black/African, Hispanic, and Native American ethnicities were underrepresented compared with the city’s reported diverse population. Consequently, new programs and initiatives should be considered to increase ethnic and racial inclusivity, to respond to the needs of citizens of New York City.

Are New York City Sonographers a Diverse Group? Exploring Diversity and Perceptions Related to Culture Among the City’s Sonography Clinicians and Educators

The Networking, Open Discussion, Engagement, and Self-Promotion (NODES) framework is a strategy that women in medicine can deploy at conferences to broaden their professional networks and engage with colleagues. The NODES framework was designed and implemented for use at the Women in Medicine Summit, an annual conference that unites women to combat gender inequality in medicine. Intentional use of social media at conferences using the NODES framework by women in medicine can increase the visibility of research projects and may lead to speaking engagements and awards.

/pdf/description-of-the-novel-networking-open-discussion-2so1ge2l.pdf

Description of the Novel Networking, Open Discussion, Engagement, and Self-Promotion (NODES) Framework for the Advancement of Women Physicians on Social Media

Though the number of women in medicine continues to rise, the discrimination against women and the gender inequity in both leadership roles and salary remains persistent. The gender divide is particularly prominent in male-dominated specialties, such as cardiology. Social media helps to foster global connections and disseminate information quickly and worldwide. The rise of social media has influenced how female physicians communicate and has particularly shown its benefits within the field of cardiology. Virtual platforms are important avenues where female physicians have united for greater representation of gender issues and advocacy efforts. Social media serves to further amplify gender equality activism by facilitating the conversations surrounding gender equity and proposing solutions to self-identified issues by the virtual community of female physicians and their allies. In this review, we discuss the role of social media as a tool for advancing WIC and foster gender equality and diversity.

Nooshin Beygui

Papers

Social Media as a Tool to Advance Women in Cardiology: Paving the Way for Gender Equality and Diversity