Promoting Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Medical and Scientific Writing and Publishing of Research: A Statement from the Inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advocacy Team of the Journal of General Internal Medicine

Abstract

The Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) has a long-standing history of publishing manuscripts focused on health equity and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in scientific writing and publishing. This is extremely important in the current climate where false narratives and attacks on DEI and health equity are rampant. To demonstrate their commitment to DEI and health equity, the JGIM Editors-in-Chief created an inaugural DEI Advocacy Team. Composed of four academic scholars with vast knowledge and expertise in health equity and DEI, the JGIM DEI Advocacy Team is posed to create the infrastructure for improving DEI in scientific writing and publishing within JGIM. The team strives to advocate for diversity among the editorial board and staff; foster an inclusive environment where all contributions are valued; and facilitate increased and equitable opportunities for publishing of scholarly work by underrepresented groups in medicine. To operationalize their goals, the JGIM DEI Advocacy Team created the 5TDEI Conceptual Framework (team, tools, tracking, transparency, training). This perspective provides a statement from the inaugural JGIM DEI Advocacy Team on how we envision promoting health equity, diversity, and inclusion in medical and scientific writing and publishing of research in JGIM.