Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2024
Background: The involvement of editorial board members is crucial in the production, dissemination, and promotion of peer-reviewed evidence. However, disparities exist in the composition of these boards. This study aimed to assess the diversity among editorial boards of substance use journals.
Methods: Data from 33 top substance use journals listed in the National Library of Medicine and with an impact factor in 2023 were collected. Utilizing the Journal Diversity Index (JDI), diversity in terms of gender, race, and geographical representation of editorial board members was examined.
Results: The study obtained data from 33 journals corresponding to 1738 editors and editorial board members, with a median editorial board size of 44. The findings revealed that 57.8% of the editorial board members were men, with 81.3% of them being white. Conversely, 42.2% of the editors were women, with 83.8% of them being white. Additionally, approximately 50% of the editorial board members were from the USA, 11% from Australia, and 9% from the United Kingdom. The JDI scores showed that 29 out of the 33 journals were categorized as having a very poor JDI score, and the remaining four fell into the poor JDI category.
Conclusion: These findings underscore a clear overrepresentation of editorial board members from high-income and native English-speaking countries. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the uneven distribution of editorial board positions in substance use journals. Swift measures are crucial to enhance diversity, promote inclusivity, and amplify the representation of underrepresented groups in substance use academic publishing. Addressing these disparities is essential for promoting a more equitable and inclusive academic publishing landscape in substance use research.