Doctors say like many institutions, medicine has a long to-do list when it comes equity. On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), released a new policy statement promising to purge guidelines based on social constructs, like race. In the past, the diagnosis and treatment guidelines for illnesses such as urinary tract infections, asthma and chronic kidney disease, have not been science based.
"Lung function in Black persons wasn't based on any real science. They were simply based on a history and assumptions carried through forever, and never looked at critically," said Minnesota Chapter President, of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MNAAP), Dr. Sheldon Berkowitz. "That's what's starting to happen now."
The Academy began re-examining its treatment recommendations before George Floyd's murder. Efforts intensified after. Along with a Reach Out and Read partnership, Dr. Berkowitz says the Academy has set up a task force looking at disparities, offered an anti-racism webinar for members and is looking to diversify its board.
Dr. Kate Sadak leads the Anti-Racism and Disparities workgroup for MNAAP, the Minnesota Pediatric Chapter. She is also a General Pediatrician with M Health Fairview. "We've been doing this work now for almost two years," she said. "I'm excited to see backing from the national organization."
In its policy statement, the AAP also says it will "leverage its relationships with medical schools, academic health systems, schools of medicine and accrediting bodies to ensure health equity curricular content, including a specific focus on the elimination of race-based medicine."
Vice Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, at the University of Minnesota's Medical School, Dr. Ana Núñez, says the University is committed to improving health equity.
"Our med school is one of a handful of schools, selected to do medical education anti-racism training. We are moving the needle as models, for med schools across the country," said Dr. Núñez.
Doctors working to repair the harm also say medicine is sluggish to change. Dr. Berkowitz, the chapter president says, "Until you start to look at it critically, you go 'oh my god! I can't believe we were ever doing that.'
Other doctor groups have also pledged to re-examine their policies.
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