The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals: Comments Invited

For many years and increasingly in the last year, JAMA and the JAMA Network journals have published many important articles addressing disparities and racism in medical education, research, and health care1"9and highlighting initiatives to help address deep-rooted inequities.10"16 In these articles, as in others, terminology, usage, and word choice are critically important, especially when describing people and when discussing race and ethnicity. Inclusive language supports diversity and conveys respect. Language that imparts bias toward or against persons or groups based on characteristics or demographics must be avoided. The indistinct construct of racial and ethnic categories has been increasingly acknowledged, and the important sensitivities and controversies related to use of these terms in medical and health research, education, and practice have been progressively recognized. Accordingly, for articles published in medical and science journals, language and terminology must be accurate, clear, and precise, and must reflect fairness, equity, and consistency in use and reporting of race and ethnicity.