Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease (May 2024)

Mind the Gap! Working Toward Gender Equity in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Present and Future

  • Devyani Chowdhury,
  • Neha Bansal,
  • Annette Ansong,
  • Carissa Baker Smith,
  • Holly Bauser‐Heaton,
  • Nadine Choueiter,
  • Jennifer Co‐Vu,
  • Pietro Elliott,
  • Stephanie Fuller,
  • Supriya S. Jain,
  • Pei‐Ni Jone,
  • Jonathan N. Johnson,
  • Tara Karamlou,
  • Alaina K. Kipps,
  • Kristin Laraja,
  • Keila N. Lopez,
  • Muneera Rasheed,
  • Christina Ronai,
  • Ritu Sachdeva,
  • Arwa Saidi,
  • Chris Snyder,
  • Nicole Sutton,
  • Corey Stiver,
  • Nathaniel W. Taggart,
  • Kenneth Shaffer,
  • Roberta Williams

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.032837
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 9

Abstract

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Evidence from medicine and other fields has shown that gender diversity results in better decision making and outcomes. The incoming workforce of congenital heart specialists (especially in pediatric cardiology) appears to be more gender balanced, but past studies have shown many inequities. Gender‐associated differences in leadership positions, opportunities presented for academic advancement, and recognition for academic contributions to the field persist. In addition, compensation packages remain disparate if evaluated based on gender with equivalent experience and expertise. This review explores these inequities and has suggested individual and institutional changes that could be made to recruit and retain women, monitor the climate of the institution, and identify and eliminate bias in areas like salary and promotions.

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