In February 2024, Sage retracted three articles from Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology "because of undeclared conflicts of interest and after expert reviewers found that the studies demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor that invalidates or renders unreliable the authors’ conclusions," according to the publisher’s statement at the time. Sage also removed the paper’s lead author from the editorial board of the journal.
The authors of three papers about abortion Sage retracted earlier this year have sued the publisher, alleging the company pulled the articles "for pretextual and discriminatory reasons." The authors also allege the retractions have caused "enormous and incalculable harm” to their professional reputations, and “they are now being treated as pariahs." Their lawsuit seeks to compel Sage to enter arbitration of their claims, as required by the publishing agreements the authors signed with the company.
Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology, is no longer accepting new submissions, according to its website. The trial is ongoing.
