Perspective in NEJM: Political Attacks on Medical Education — The Future of DEI in Medicine
This week, The New England Journal of Medicine published the perspective piece “Facing Political Attacks on Medical Education — The Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medicine.” Dr. Carl Streed, an Associate Professor in the Section of General Internal Medicine, is senior author of this article, which comments on how the deluge of legislative and policy attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts threatens the integrity of the health care workforce and will ultimately worsen the health of the populace. Pamela Guerra, BS, a medical student at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and Fernando De Maio, PhD from the Department of Sociology at DePaul University are co-authors.
The article describes the onslaught of legislation in the United States aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education, including medical education. The authors note that these “attacks coincide with an overwhelming increase in legislation attacking sexual and gender minority (SGM) people; 167 state bills aimed at restricting health care for SGM patients were proposed in 2023 alone.”
The article concludes with a call to action for elected officials, institutions of higher education, and clinicians:
“To avert harm, we believe that elected officials should prioritize legislation that protects patients, medical trainees, and health care workers. Institutions of higher education should continue to pursue and support DEI programs for students and trainees, while investing in research on best practices for these initiatives. Clinicians of all identities need to stand in solidarity, using their knowledge, resources, and influence to advocate against attempts to undermine our preparation of the next generation of clinicians. Failure to meet the current crisis will have alarming ramifications for generations to follow.”
To read the full article, click here.