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USA Today
24-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
DEI dropped: Medical schools won't be graded on diversity amid federal, state crackdown
DEI dropped: Medical schools won't be graded on diversity amid federal, state crackdown Show Caption Hide Caption Federal judge blocks Trump from cutting school funding over DEI A federal judge in New Hampshire has blocked the Trump administration from cutting federal funding from public schools that continue to run diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. unbranded - Newsworthy Citing state crackdowns on diversity, equity and inclusion, the organization that accredits medical schools has dropped diversity as a measure of the quality of medical education. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education on May 19 voted to eliminate diversity programs and partnerships as criteria when it grades the performance of medical schools that confer "MD" degrees to students. The liaison committee said it acted because new and proposed state laws targeting diversity, equity and inclusion conflict with the accrediting body's standards. Eliminating diversity standards would create "a single set of accreditation expectations with which all schools, regardless of their location and current legislative environment, must comply," the liaison committee said in a statement. A liaison committee spokesperson said the committee made the decision after "thoughtful and careful consideration and discussion." Its two sponsoring organizations, the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association, did not answer questions from USA TODAY. The decision to target diversity is a setback in efforts to attract medical students of all backgrounds, said doctors who have worked to promote diversity. Dr. Virginia Caine, an Indiana University professor of medicine, said it's important for doctors to connect and communicate with different cultures. "We're just dumbfounded by this decision made by LCME," said Caine, who serves as president of the National Medical Association, which represents Black physicians. Caine said studies have shown that Black patients experience better health outcomes and engage more effectively when treated by Black physicians. "We have such a rich and incredible history of talented Black physicians," said Caine, the public health department director of Marion County, Indiana. "If we knock out the access before they even are entering medical schools or academic schools, we're just going to be a nation that's not as creative, not as innovative and not as successful." Black, Hispanic doctors lag the overall population About 5.2% of the nation's doctors in 2022 identified as Black, according to a physician workforce report by the Association of American Medical Colleges. That's an improvement since 2019 when 2.6% of physicians identified as Black. Still, the share of Black doctors still doesn't match the 13.7% in the overall population. About 6.3% of physicians in 2022 identified as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin, which also significantly trails the overall population. More than a half dozen states have enacted laws placing restrictions on diversity efforts at state institutions such as colleges and universities. Florida, for example, prohibits state institutions from giving preferential consideration for employment, admission, or promotion. And after taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to end diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the federal government and affirmative action in federal contracting. To reflect its turn away from enforcing diversity standards at medical schools, the liaison committee said it's updating guidance for academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The liaison committee assigns survey teams to assess medical schools on a dozen standards for items such as leadership, curriculum, faculty and medical student selection, support and services. Schools that previously got diversity-related citations − or those preparing for accreditation − won't have to provide information on their diversity efforts, the liaison committee said. The National Medical Association said the federal and state efforts to cut diversity, equity and inclusion is limiting access to medical education for the next generation of Black physicians. Caine said the nation already has a physician shortage projected to worsen within 5 years when about 1 in 3 practicing physicians will reach retirement age. "It's important for everybody," Caine said. All medical students "should have the ability to connect, to be open, to communicate with your patients. To do that, you have to have some level of understanding related to that culture." Move away from DEI is 'disheartening' Dr. Osose Oboh knows how important it is to reduce bias and improve trust with patients. Oboh graduated medical school from Michigan State University and completed an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University. She now is completing a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Oboh said the federal and state crackdown on DEI - and the liaison committee's response - is "disheartening." "There is an attack on something that is actually good," Oboh said. "Diversity has been rebranded as giving unqualified folks opportunity, when in reality, it's increasing exposure to qualified people." She said bias in a medical setting can surface both among patients and doctors. Oboh, who is Black, said she recently gave "bad news" to a Black patient's family. She explained the diagnoses and next steps the medical team planned to take. "They were so appreciative to receive it from me," Oboh said. "They understood why we were taking the steps we're taking and why we were going to do the interventions we were going to do. They felt like nobody else had explained it to them."
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Diversity in Dermatology Residencies Improves; Gaps Remain
Dermatology residency programs saw modest gains in racial and ethnic diversity from 2020 to 2024, but underrepresented groups remain disproportionately low compared with their share of the US population. METHODOLOGY: Researchers analyzed national data on dermatology residents from the Association of American Medical Colleges from 2020 to 2024. They evaluated racial and ethnic representation trends and calculated rate ratios comparing residency demographics with the US population data. The analysis included comparison of underrepresented minority resident (American Indian or Alaska Native [AIAN], Black, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander [NHPI]) percentages across five historically less diverse specialties: Dermatology, neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, and integrated plastic surgery. TAKEAWAY: Black representation among dermatology residents rose from 4.6% to 8.7%, and Hispanic or Latino representation increased from 6.6% to 8.9%. NHPI representation declined from 0.2% to 0.1%, and AIAN representation remained steady at 0.7%. The rate ratio for Black residents compared with the US population demographics improved from 0.38 to 0.71, and for Hispanic residents from 0.35 to 0.47. Dermatology showed the highest annual increase in underrepresented minority residents (2.11% per year) among historically less diverse specialties, though it still lags behind specialties like obstetrics and gynecology. The total number of underrepresented minority residents grew from 185 in 2022 to 267 in 2024, still short of the 463 needed to meet the American Academy of Dermatology Pathways initiative goal of a 150% increase by 2027. IN PRACTICE: 'Despite incremental improvements in diversity, sustained mentorship, pipeline development, and outreach efforts remain the key drivers of these gains,' the study authors wrote. 'To ensure long-term progress, residency programs should track diversity metrics to better align recruitment with the demographics of their local communities,' they added. SOURCE: The study was led by Devin Barzallo, BA, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland. It was published online on May 14 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology . LIMITATIONS: The authors did not list any study limitations. DISCLOSURES: The study did not receive any funding. The authors reported having no relevant conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. Credit Lead image: Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime Medscape Medical News © 2025 WebMD, LLC Cite this: Edited by Deepa Varma. Diversity in Dermatology Training Programs Improves, but Gaps Remain - Medscape - May 19, 2025.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Earlier spring warm-ups extend seasonal allergies long into summer
Earlier spring warm-ups extend seasonal allergies long into summer If you have allergies, you know allergy seasons can be rough with the constant sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy sinuses. In the past few decades, scientists have found that seasonal allergens like mold, tree pollen and other spores have proliferated because of warmer temperatures and various environmental factors. As spring temperatures rise, so does pollen production. Allergens are not only surviving longer than they used to – extending the pollen season by up to three weeks in some regions of North America − but they are also reproducing more frequently, which makes allergy symptoms worse for many people, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. How does a 'normal' spring compare with this one? Across the nation, spring approaches to differing degrees. Some areas have seen an earlier start than the long-term average between 1991 to 2020, according to the USA National Phenology Network. In just the week of April 21, spring arrived in Bismarck, North Dakota, three days earlier than normal. It began to slow in the Northeast and northern Midwest. Portland, Maine, is three days later this year. Depending on the region where you live, spring can arrive anywhere from a week late to two weeks earlier in California, Arizona and Nevada. It's one to two weeks late on the Pacific Northwest coast. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Where spring temperatures are on the rise The number of unusually warm spring days has increased throughout the United States. On average, springtime temperatures have risen 2.4 degrees in 241 cities in the past 55 years, according to Climate Central. Compared with the 1970s, 4 out of 5 cities are experiencing at least one extra week of warmer-than-normal springtime temperatures. In the southern half of the country, especially in the Southwest, spring has warmed the most. Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have continued to warm the Earth. Warmer temperatures have led to earlier springs and warmer, shorter winters, which extend growing seasons. The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern. Massive pollen plume rises from fallen tree A tree full of pollen had to be cut down due to construction in Georgia. More: Allergies are bad right now. Here's what you can do about it. Which US cities are the most challenging to live in with seasonal allergies? People with seasonal allergies may find the spring and summer months particularly challenging, especially if you live in an area prone to high pollen counts. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released its yearly report ranking the nation's top allergy capitals and explores how challenging it is to live with seasonal allergies. The map below shows the top 36 metropolitan cities with the worst overall average of seasonal allergies this year: Is it a cold, COVID-19 or seasonal allergies? It can be tricky to tell the difference between a common cold, the early signs of a COVID-19 infection or seasonal allergies because their symptoms tend to overlap. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 26% of adults and 19% of children in the United States have seasonal allergies. These figures highlight the number of seasonal allergies and the importance of being aware of their symptoms. How seasonal allergies, cold and COVID-19 symptoms compare How to help ease allergy symptoms Check pollen counts. Before heading outside, check the local news or visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's National Allergy Bureau for up-to-date readings. Before heading outside, check the local news or visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's National Allergy Bureau for up-to-date readings. Treat symptoms early. Most medications work best if taken before pollen hits the air. Ask your doctor when you should start treatment; some allergists recommend treatment about two weeks before symptoms typically surface. Most medications work best if taken before pollen hits the air. Ask your doctor when you should start treatment; some allergists recommend treatment about two weeks before symptoms typically surface. Use high-efficiency filters. They can help keep indoor air cleaner by trapping pollen and other allergens if you use forced air conditioning or heating systems. They can help keep indoor air cleaner by trapping pollen and other allergens if you use forced air conditioning or heating systems. Shut the windows. This is good advice for at home and in the car to help keep pollen out. Cool with the air conditioner instead. CONTRIBUTING Jim Sergent SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Climate Central, USA National Phenology Network and USA TODAY research
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Medicaid cuts may disproportionately affect Black, Latino doctors and their patients
Los Angeles pediatrician and urgent care specialist Dr. Ilan Shapiro worries for his chronically ill patients as he watches Congress weigh significant cuts to Medicaid. He thinks of a boy who, before finding Shapiro's clinic, was in and out of emergency rooms and intensive care units because of severe asthma attacks, instead of competing in soccer games and studying for exams. The boy's parents were losing hours and pay at work with the frequent ER visits. Shapiro, who is Latino, works at a federally qualified health care center, a clinic for low-income patients. Most of his patients are people of color on Medicaid, and roughly a quarter of them are children. Research shows Latino and Black family physicians are more likely to see Medicaid patients compared with their white and Asian counterparts. Experts say the Medicaid cuts Congress is weighing would strap health care centers that rely on already-low Medicaid reimbursements, disproportionately affecting communities of color and the physicians they rely on. Of the 72 million people covered by Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities, more than half are people of color, with Black and Hispanic people disproportionately represented on the rolls. Black and Hispanic patients have a higher risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease and certain cancers, making health care access crucial. Congressional Republicans are considering $880 billion in cuts to federal Medicaid spending to offset trillions in tax cuts proposed by President Donald Trump. Conservatives have long argued that Medicaid is too expensive. They assert its expansion under the Affordable Care Act to more working adults has diverted too much money toward nondisabled people, taking resources away from vulnerable populations the program was originally intended to help. But clinicians and policy analysts say the federal Medicaid cuts could have an especially detrimental impact on vulnerable enrollees, including children, older adults and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as states are forced to find savings to fill the gap. One GOP proposal targeting Medicaid expansion could lead to reductions in children's health insurance programs, according to a February report by the Urban Institute. The think tank estimates that proposed cuts to federal Medicaid expansion spending could increase the number of uninsured kids by 11.8%. "I'm deeply afraid," said Shapiro. "It's not just health insurance. It's a lifeline for the entire family that could be severely impacted." Bias and language barriers Just 6% of U.S. physicians are Latino and 5% are Black, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Sustaining the relatively few medical practices with Black and Hispanic providers is important amid evidence that racial bias, lack of access to culturally competent care and language barriers lead to poorer health outcomes or access. For example, analyses have shown Black patients are less likely to be prescribed pain medication, and some clinicians hold false ideas that Black patients have a higher pain tolerance. Nearly 1 in 3 Black, Hispanic and multiracial women reported mistreatment in medical settings during pregnancy and delivery, such as receiving no help when asking for it or being shouted at, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. Language barriers, which Latino communities are more likely to face, are also associated with poorer health or limited access to health care. "We understand the language and cultural concordance and the improved outcomes," said Dr. Linda Mirdamadi, an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine who serves on the National Hispanic Medical Association's board of directors. "There's a sense of trust." Mirdamadi said federal cuts to Medicaid would lead to loss of preventive care for her large, diverse community. "If they don't have access to health care, they're not going to have the access to chronic disease prevention, to vaccines, to cancer prevention screening," she said. "It is going to just increase the disparity gaps that already exist." 'Ripple effect' Dr. Roger Mitchell, president-elect of the National Medical Association, which represents Black physicians, said a widespread loss of Medicaid coverage would affect everybody, even people with private insurance. People without health coverage often don't have primary doctors and forgo preventive care, resulting in more trips to the emergency room. That can lead to longer wait times at ERs for everyone, regardless of their health insurance. Mitchell also pointed out that Medicaid reimbursements are a major funding stream for hospitals and clinics that see a lot of enrollees. Without that money, many of those providers might be forced to scale back their services or close. "The ripple effect is enormous," said Mitchell, who heads Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., where about 40% of patients are covered by Medicaid. "This is an issue that's not just affecting one portion of the U.S. populace, but all of us, and has the potential to have huge harm." Dr. Zita Magloire is a family physician, but she also offers obstetric care along with two OB-GYNs at Cairo Medical Care in the south Georgia city of Cairo. The city is the county seat of Grady County, which has about 26,000 residents, almost 30% of whom are Black. Her practice is one of the few in the area that takes Medicaid for obstetric care, she noted, and serves many Central American immigrant patients who drive from the surrounding rural areas to her clinic. When another practice in the area started cutting services, her center absorbed those patients. "There's not a lot of providers that accept Medicaid," she said. "What does that look like? Well, they [patients] show up with no prenatal care - and then, you have very high-risk patients." Back in Los Angeles, the boy whose family found Shapiro's clinic is now a teenager. He received stable asthma care there and got Medicaid coverage. "He started having a medical home. Everything changed. The ER visits and the intensive care unit visits changed to soccer games," Shapiro said. Having coverage, he continued, "makes a huge impact for the entire community." ____ Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached atnhassanein@ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Arab Times
16-04-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Tech-proof no more: AI targets doctors and teachers, says Gates
NEW YORK, April 16: Bill Gates believes that artificial intelligence could soon help eliminate the long-standing shortages of doctors and teachers across the globe. 'AI will come in and provide medical IQ, and there won't be a shortage,' Gates said during an episode of the People by WTF podcast, published Friday. Gates, who has long focused on public health through his philanthropic work, noted that countries such as India and those across Africa continue to face significant shortages of medical professionals. The United States is also grappling with this issue. A 2023 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projected that the U.S. could face a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians — including both specialists and primary care doctors — by 2036. Michael Dill, director of workforce studies at the organization, told Business Insider last year that the country would need hundreds of thousands of doctors to provide equitable care for all, including underserved communities, the uninsured, and rural populations. The shortage is especially concerning in geriatric care, where the number of specialists continues to decline even as the population ages. Medical professionals warned Business Insider in March that this growing demand from older patients could trigger a crisis in the quality of care. To help alleviate burnout in the industry, healthcare-focused AI startups have raised billions of dollars by positioning themselves as a potential solution. Startups such as Suki, Zephyr AI, and Tennr aim to reduce workloads by automating repetitive tasks like billing and note-taking, while also improving diagnostic accuracy and identifying candidates for new treatments, according to a Business Insider report from December. Consulting firm McKinsey estimates that generative AI could increase productivity in healthcare and pharmaceuticals by as much as $370 billion. Gates noted that the same transformation is underway in education. According to federal data released in 2023, 86% of K–12 U.S. public schools reported difficulty in hiring teachers for the 2023–24 academic year, with about 45% of schools saying they were understaffed. In the U.K., one London high school is piloting the use of AI to supplement teaching. David Game College implemented a program in which 20 students used tools like ChatGPT to help prepare for exams in core subjects including English, math, biology, and computer science, Business Insider reported. Despite growing concerns about students using AI to cheat, many educators remain optimistic. Teachers told BI they believe generative AI has the potential to save time and improve learning outcomes, especially as teacher shortages persist. But Gates wasn't just referring to doctors and teachers. He also believes AI will soon impact workers in physically demanding jobs — including factory workers, construction crews, and hotel staff. 'The hands have to be awfully good to do those things. We'll achieve that,' he said. Tech giants like Nvidia are investing heavily in humanoid robots capable of performing manual tasks, from picking items in warehouses to scrubbing floors. These robots aim to reduce labor costs and boost overall efficiency. Gates suggested that society may be headed toward a future where work is drastically reduced or redefined altogether. 'You can retire early, you can work shorter workweeks,' he said. 'It's going to require almost a philosophical rethink about, 'Okay, how should time be spent?'' He admitted that this shift is difficult to fully grasp, even for him. 'It's hard for those of us — in my case, spending almost 70 years in a world of shortage — even to adjust my mind,' Gates said. In 1930, economist John Maynard Keynes famously predicted that advancements in technology could reduce the workweek to just 15 hours. Yet nearly a century later, most people still work around 40 hours a week. 'I don't have to work,' Gates added. 'I choose to work. Because? Because it's fun.'
