Opportunity to Integrate the American Medical Association's Inclusive Language Guidance

Brelahn Wyatt-Nash; Ysehak Wondwossen; Monica A Lutgendorf; Krista B Highland

doi:10.1089/heq.2023.0207

Opportunity to Integrate the American Medical Association's Inclusive Language Guidance

Health Equity. 2024 Mar 13;8(1):177-188. doi: 10.1089/heq.2023.0207. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Brelahn Wyatt-Nash¹, Ysehak Wondwossen², Monica A Lutgendorf³, Krista B Highland⁴

Affiliations

¹ Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
² Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, USA.
³ Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Abstract

Inclusive language is a cornerstone for inclusive, just, and equitable health care. While the American Medical Association released inclusive language guidance in 2021, it was unclear the extent to which physician practice organizations and their affiliated journals have adopted and promoted inclusive language. In our analysis, we found a lack of inclusive language resources across many physician practice organizations and their affiliated journals. Moreover, when guidance was provided by such entities, it was sometimes limited or not reflective of the American Medical Association recommendations. As such, many practice organizations and their journals have the opportunity to promote inclusive language.

Keywords: equity; inclusive language; justice; patient-centered care.