US HEALTH JOURNAL EDITORS OPINIONS AND POLICIES ON RESEARCH IN RACE, ETHNICITY, AND HEALTH

Health research on race and ethnicity has been criticized for lacking rigor in conceptualization, terminology, and analysis. Scientific jour nals' editorial processes help determine research quality. This survey assessed editors' awareness of current debates, attitudes toward rece nt recommendations, and involvement in developing editorial policies. Twenty-nine editors of health journals with impact factors of greater than or equal to 1 (based on citation ratings) were sent a questionnai re including four key problems identified in research literature and r ecommendations from federal agencies; 23 (79%) responded. Seven editor s reported relevant policies. Two had read the Federal directive on ra cial and ethnic classification; one was aware of its current review. M ost perceived the four key problems as uncommon. The majority agreed w ith Public Health Service recommendations on race and ethnicity resear ch, except For analyzing effects of racism. Approximately 20% had disc ussed issues with co-editors, editorial boards, or reviewers. About 40 % saw further discussion as beneficial; four planned to draft guidelin es. Editors' potential for helping resolve problems in race/ethnicity research is not being realized. Greater participation would be benefic ial to public health research and practice.