Many U.S. medical societies have been working to end the use of potentially harmful race-based algorithms that misuse race as a proxy for biology, a survey suggests.
Doctors have known for years that many common tests and tools are less reliable in nonwhite patients, but they believed – incorrectly – that these inaccuracies were insignificant.
Only recently, in some cases prompted by experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, have medical authorities begun to formally address some of the gaps.
In 2023, researchers at Boston University and the American Medical Association (AMA) surveyed 204 U.S. professional medical societies regarding their efforts to advance health equity, including work to eliminate use of race-based clinical algorithms.
Twenty-nine of 54 regional organizations and 39 of 150 specialty societies responded to the survey.
Overall, just 10 (15.6%) reported achieving objectives to eliminate algorithms and decision-making tools that use race as a proxy for genetic or biologic ancestry, the researchers reported on Tuesday in JAMA Network Open.
The efforts included engagement with members and with hospital associations, hospitals, and clinical laboratories.
Another 22 societies (34.4%) reported working toward such objectives, while 12 organizations (18.8%) had not considered taking action, and eight (12.5%) felt the issue was not applicable to them.
The survey results serve as a baseline for accountability in organized medicine, the researchers said.
“When we replace these harmful algorithms with antiracist tools, and when we support reparative approaches to addressing past harms, everyone will receive higher quality, safer medical care,” study leader Dr. Emily Cleveland Manchanda of Boston University said in a statement.
The AMA has said it plans to repeat the survey annually.
This newsletter was edited by Bill Berkrot. Additional reporting by Shawana Alleyne-Morris.
