Diversity in Neuroradiology: A Decade-Long Review of Gender, Racial, and Ethnic Representation Among Fellows

Diversity in medical subspecialties is critical for improving patient care and fostering innovation. However, Neuroradiology remains one of the least diverse Radiology subspecialties, with persistent gender and racial disparities among trainees. This study examines gender, racial, and ethnic representation trends among Neuroradiology fellows over the past decade.

This study was conducted using publicly available data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Data Resource Book from 2013 to 2023. Fellows' self-reported gender and racial/ethnic identities were analyzed to assess for trends throughout the decade.

Among 2697 Neuroradiology fellows over 10 years, 78.2% were male, 20.8% were female, and 1.0% did not report gender. Racial distribution included 50.4% White, 23.1% Asian, 4.6% Hispanic/Latino, 2.7% Black/African American, 0.15% American Indian/Alaskan Native, 0.037% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 1.3% multiple race/ethnicity, and 7.3% other. Additionally, 10.5% of fellows did not report their race.

Despite national efforts to improve diversity, neuroradiology continues to exhibit significant gender and racial disparities. Addressing these gaps requires targeted interventions, including structured mentorship programs, early exposure initiatives, holistic application reviews, and leadership opportunities for URM candidates. Enhancing diversity within Neuroradiology will better reflect the patient population and is important in improving health equity.