This year marks the 75th anniversary of Pediatrics. Over the course of this special anniversary year, we have been offering articles and online features that capture the richness of the contributions published in our journal since the first issue appeared in January 1948. A special website has been setup that contains these anniversary articles including reflections highlighting seminal papers from each of the three quarter centuries of content as selected by more than 50+ of the American Academy of Pediatrics committees, councils, and sections. While many of the reflective pieces on our 75th anniversary website proudly highlight the advancement of pediatric science through the studies that have appeared in our journal, there have been other reflections that are less joyful but just as meaningful. Such is the case for an article written by Dr. Nathan Chomilo from the University of Minnesota (10.1542/peds.2023-063095) on behalf of the Section on Minority Health, Equity, and Inclusion that looks back on the history of how race has been considered over the journal’s 75 years.
Dr. Chomilo highlights studies published over many decades in our journal that have contributed to inequities and bias. While Dr. Chomilo originally wrote this important essay for our 75th anniversary website, members of our editorial board felt strongly that the piece should be published in the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice section of our journal. It is being early released this week.
Dr. Chomilo describes multiple examples of the inappropriate use of race and misinterpretation of clinical observations. He points out how race was improperly used in the past as a risk factor in clinical algorithms endorsed by the AAP and published in Pediatrics for management of such disorders as a febrile urinary tract infection and hyperbilirubinemia. Both of these guidelines have been revised to address the inappropriate use of race.
Dr. Chomilo points out that the AAP has officially taken a stance against raced-based medicine with the 2022 policy statement “Eliminating Race-Based Medicine.” Pediatrics has also revised its author and reviewer guidelines to ensure that articles published in the journal do not foster racism. The article, by Dr. Chomilo, with its stark appraisal of how the journal has published articles related to race, is a must-read for all.
