Short Wave White scholars can complicate research into health disparities
Oct 13, 2021
Usha Lee McFarling is a science correspondent at Stat News, focusing on health disparities. She discusses how COVID-19 has magnified existing inequalities in healthcare. Usha highlights the challenges researchers of color face, including lack of representation in academic publishing. The phenomenon of 'health equity tourism' often sidelines established scholars in favor of newer white researchers. She emphasizes the urgent need for equitable practices and collaborative efforts to address alarming health outcomes for people of color.
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JAMA's Publication Bias
- Elle Lett, a statistical epidemiologist, published a paper on the lack of Black and Hispanic physicians.
- Three years later, a similar paper by a white physician was published in JAMA, a higher-profile journal.
Health Equity Tourism
- The murder of George Floyd sparked increased interest and funding in health disparities research.
- This has led to an influx of researchers, some with limited background in health equity, engaging in "health equity tourism."
Bad Science in Health Equity
- While increased attention to health disparities is positive, bad science can pollute the field.
- This can lead to wasted resources and inaccurate findings that hinder efforts to address inequities.