Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Students tackle racial bias in medicine

In spite of an evidence-based understanding that racial groups do not differ significantly from one another in biological terms, examples of race-based thinking still impact diagnostic processes, approaches to patient care, and continuing health disparities.

Pushing pedagogy to catch up to society, BU medical students have taken strides to update their curriculum, and classroom instruction, by eliminating lingering racial stereotypes and the notion of race as a biological construct.

In 2019, they brought these concerns to Dr. Priya Garg, associate dean of medical education, who formed a working group of faculty and students to assess the curriculum and examine approaches at peer institutions to promote equity and inclusion. In 2022, a paper based on the group’s report and recommendations was published in Academic Medicine.

“As an institution that believes strongly in caring for all patients regardless of background or socioeconomic status,” says Dr. Garg, “we have to incorporate antiracism, which is directly linked with providing equitable care to all patients.”

Kaye-Alese Green (Chobanian & Avedisian’25, LAW’25), a student, inaugural Diversity & Inclusion fellow, and corresponding author of the paper, says, “When we engage in the continual process of removing racism from medicine, we can address upstream drivers of health inequities, inspire the next generation of advocates, transform our thinking about medical science, and improve patient care.”