Perspectives

Racism in Medicine: The International Physician Community Takes a Stand

Authors: Ramin W. Parsa-Parsi, MD, MPH

Abstract

The World Medical Association (WMA), representing more than 10 million physicians worldwide, took an important step during its 2022 General Assembly in Berlin, Germany, by formally recognizing the existence of racism in medicine and condemning it in all its forms in the Declaration of Berlin on Racism in Medicine. The core medical ethical documents of the WMA—specifically, the Declaration of Geneva: The Physician’s Pledge1 and the International Code of Medical Ethics2—already make it clear that physicians must provide care without bias or engaging in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race or any other factor. There was, however, strong support among WMA constituent members for augmenting the WMA body of policies with a stand-alone declaration on racism and its implications for health and healthcare provision.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. World Medical Association. WMA Declaration of Geneva. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-geneva/. Accessed March 29, 2023.
 
2. World Medical Association. WMA International Code of Medical Ethics. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-international-code-of-medical-ethics/. Accessed March 29, 2023.
 
3. Kühberger C. “Race”—a necessary category? https://public-history-weekly.degruyter.com/2-2014-32/race-necessary-category/. Published September 25, 2014. Accessed July 24, 2023.
 
4. LaBreck A. Color-blind: Examining France’s approach to race policy. https://hir.harvard.edu/color-blind-frances-approach-to-race/. Published February 1, 2021. Accessed April 5, 2023.
 
5. World Medical Association. WMA Declaration of Berlin on Racism in Medicine. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-berlin-on-racism-in-medicine/. Accessed March 20, 2023.
 
6. Nazroo JY, Williams DR, Marmot M, et al. The social determination of ethnic/ racial inequalities in health. In: Marmot M, Wilkinson RG, eds., Social Determinants of Health, 2nd ed., New York: Oxford University Press; 2005.
 
7. Salas R. Environmental racism and climate change—missed diagnoses. N Engl J Med 2021;385:967–969.
 
8. Hankerson SH, Moise N, Wilson D, et al. The intergenerational impact of structural racism and cumulative trauma on depression. Am J Psychiatry 2022;179:434–440.
 
9. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2019. Table 004. Life expectancy at birth, age 65, and age 75, by sex, race, and Hispanic origin: United States, selected years 1900–2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/data-finder.htm. Accessed July 24, 2023.
 
10. Akhter M. Assessment of linked associations in predictors of life expectancy inequality. JAMA Intern Med 2018;178:563–564.
 
11. Paradies Y, Ben J, Denson N, et al. Racism as a determinant of health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 2015;10:e0138511.
 
12. Lopez L III, Hart LH, Katz MH. Racial and ethnic health disparities related to COVID-19. JAMA 2021;325:719–720.
 
13. Sim W, Lim WH, Ng CH, et al. The perspectives of health professionals and patients on racism in healthcare: a qualitative systematic review. PLoS ONE 2021;16:e0255936.
 
14. Satcher D, Dawes DE. Race and the patient-physician relationship in 2021. JAMA 2021;326:595–596.
 
15. Takeshita J, Wang S, Loren AW, et al. Association of racial/ethnic and gender concordance between patients and physicians with patient experience ratings. JAMA Netw Open 2020;3:e2024583.
 
16. Salsberg E, Richwine C, Westergaard S, et al. Estimation and comparison of current and future racial/ethnic representation in the US health care workforce. JAMA Netw Open 2021;4:e213789.
 
17. O’Marr JM, Chan SM, Crawford L, et al. Perceptions on burnout and the medical school learning environment of medical students who are underrepresented in medicine. JAMA Netw Open 2022;5:e220115.
 
18. Schwartz A, Alsan M, Morris A, et al. Why diverse clinical trial participation matters. N Engl J Med 2023;388:1252–1254.
 
19. Ogedegbe G. Responsibility of medical journals in addressing racism in health care. JAMA Netw Open 2020;3:e2016531.