Interventions aimed at advancing gender equity in rheumatology: Insights from the Coalition for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) survey
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Gender disparities in rheumatology persist despite increasing female representation. This comprehensive global survey, conducted by the Coalition for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) group, examined preferences for gender equity interventions among rheumatology professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of rheumatologists and allied health professionals was conducted across 105 countries (January 2023-May 2024). Intervention preferences spanned four domains: conference-based, organizational, skills training, and work-based strategies. Gender differences were evaluated using logistic regression adjusted for years of work experience, with subgroup analyses by Human Development Index (HDI), Gender Inequality Index (GII), professional role, and caregiving responsibilities. Multiple comparisons were adjusted using Benjamini- Hochberg correction for false discovery rate. RESULTS: Among 1945 respondents (66.4% female), the most widely endorsed interventions overall were family- and child-friendly conference policies (71.4%), communication and scientific writing training (52.6%), and engagement of national rheumatology groups (46.9%). Women demonstrated significantly stronger support for increasing the visibility of female role models (11.89% vs 5.81%, OR = 3.29, p < 0.01), establishing gender-balanced committees (17.66% vs 16.01%, OR = 1.76, p < 0.01), and gender-sensitive editorial board policies (12.70% vs 10.66%, OR = 1.77, p < 0.01). Respondents from higher-GII countries prioritised scientific writing masterclasses (OR = 4.58, p < 0.05) and career planning training (OR = 3.90, p < 0.05) but showed lower endorsement of unconscious bias training (OR = 0.48, p < 0.05) and male allyship programmes (OR = 0.42, p < 0.05). Women in low/middle-HDI countries more frequently selected grant writing support (40.3% vs 26.4%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Gender equity intervention preferences vary systematically across contexts. These findings provide empirical foundations for developing culturally responsive, evidence-informed intervention frameworks to advance gender equity in rheumatology.
Source: Autoimmunity Reviews
Authors: Latika Gupta, Lekshmi Minikumari Rahulan, Taanya Talreja, Pavel Ovseiko, Laure Gossec, Manali Sarkar, Jessica Day, Lisa Traboco, Anne Marie Russell, Syed Atiqul Haq, Catherine L. Hill, Dzifa Dey, Neelam Hassan, Alejandra Magdalena Babini, Ana Maria Arredondo Gonzalez, Carlos Enrique Toro Gutiérrez, Christina Duftner, Deshiré Alpizar-Rodríguez, Humeira Badsha, Elena Nikiphorou, Ghita Harifi, Ihsane Hmamouchi, Joan Von Feldt, Júlia Boechat Farani, Asgar Ali Kalla, Laura Andreoli, Mariana Peixoto Souza, Lai-Shan Tam, Penélope Esther Palominos, Ran Nakashima, Yoshiya Tanaka, Wilson Bautista-Molano, Vikas Agarwal, Nelly Ziade, Grace Wright, Laura C. Coates
Institutions: The Francis Crick Institute, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton Hospital, University of Birmingham, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, University of Oxford, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Institut Pierre Louis d‘Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, St. Luke's Medical Center, University of the Philippines Manila, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Adelaide, Green Life Medical College, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Ghana, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University of Bristol, Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust, Universidad FUCS, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Innsbruck Medical University, Universität Innsbruck, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Dr. Humeira Badsha Medical Center, King's College London, King's College Hospital, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, International University of Rabat, University of Pennsylvania, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Brescia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kyoto University, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Universidad El Bosque, Military University Nueva Granada, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Saint Joseph University, Hôtel-Dieu de France
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,730
OpenAlex ID: W7204938667