Babes and boobs? analysis of JAMA cover art.

OBJECTIVE To determine the representation of the sexes in JAMA cover art. DESIGN Review of 50 consecutive issues. SETTING JAMA, March 1997-March 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Numbers and nature of covers portraying men and women. RESULTS Of the 50 covers, 34 depicted humans. 15 depicted women, 13 men, and 6 were of mixed or indeterminate sex. 11 pictures of women included a child and five included nudity. One cover showed a man with a child (not as a father) and none depicted nudity. Men were depicted exclusively in authoritative roles. CONCLUSIONS Much of the cover art gives strong messages about sexual stereotypes that are inappropriate in modern society. JAMA should consider reviewing its policy for choosing cover art.