Women, especially those of color, remain significantly underrepresented in neurological research, according to a new study from the University of Pennsylvania. The findings, published in the journal Neurology, highlight persistent disparities that may be hindering progress towards health equity.
Dr. Allison Willis, senior author and associate professor of Neurology and Epidemiology at Penn, and her team analyzed NIH funding data from 2015 to 2022. They found that while the number of female scientists receiving grants increased over time, the proportion of Black, Hispanic, and Native American women remained disproportionately low compared to their representation in the general population.
“Diversity in research is crucial for understanding how neurological diseases affect different populations,” Dr. Willis explained. “Without adequate representation, we risk perpetuating health disparities and limiting the generalizability of our findings.”
The study also revealed that female scientists, regardless of race, were less likely to receive large grants or hold leadership positions on research teams compared to their male counterparts. This trend was particularly pronounced for women of color.
The authors call for targeted efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in neurological research, including mentorship programs, bias training, and reevaluating hiring and promotion practices. They emphasize that addressing these disparities is essential for advancing health equity and improving outcomes for all patients affected by neurological conditions.
See “Motivated by lack of diversity in neurological studies, scientists look to ensure equity in brain research” (May 20, 2024)
