Of Note:
The Journal of the American Heart Association retracted a biased paper on racial and ethnic preference and issued a follow-up policy statement on the importance of diversity.
In August, the Journal of the American Heart Association retracted a research paper by Dr. Norman Wang published in March 2020, entitled Diversity, Inclusion and Equity: Evolution of Race and Ethnicity Considerations for the Cardiology Workforce in the Unites States of America from 1969 to 2019.
The paper advocates for the end of so-called racial and ethnic preferences for undergraduate and medical school admissions in concluding incorrectly that Black and Hispanic trainees in medicine are less qualified than White and Asian trainees.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center( UPMC), Wang’ s institution, notified the JAHA Editor-in-Chief that the article contains many misconceptions and misquotes; and those inaccuracies, misstatements, and selective misreading of source materials strip the paper of its scientific validity. In issuing a statement supporting the retraction, JAHA noted that Wang’ s paper has rightfully drawn criticism for its misrepresentations and conclusions.
“ As an organization focused on the relentless pursuit of longer, healthier lives for everyone everywhere, the American Heart Association( AHA) denounces the views expressed in the article and regrets its role in enabling those views to be promoted. Those views are a misrepresentation of the facts and are contrary to the organization’ s core values and historic commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in medicine and science,” noted the statement.
The statement concluded by noting that JAHA“ can and must do more for the health care and research communities – and ultimately the country – to benefit fully from the variety of experiences and perspectives that exist within historically-excluded communities. We continue listening, hearing and redoubling our commitment to achieve health equity by eliminating health disparities and societal inequities.”
CONTRIBUTORS
Lance A. Williams, PhD, Editor Evonney Luke, Editorial Assistant Summer Briley, Graphic Designer
SPECIAL THANKS
Amit Grover, PhD Denisha Jenkins Kevin Hatcher
CDU COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | PG. 24