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Dec. 19, 2022, 5:29 p.m.

How racial biases in medical algorithms lead to inequities in care

Summary

Hospitals across the country are using software powered by algorithms with racial biases, according to a new report from a coalition of healthcare providers. This can cause physicians to misdiagnose medical conditions or delay critical treatment. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a cardiologist and president elect of Southeast Life Sciences, joins Geoff Bennett to discuss. For a transcript of this story, click here .

Five Facts

  • Who is interviewed for this story, and what is her background?
  • What is the focus of the report described in this story?
  • Where and When did the study that led to this paper take place?
  • Why are healthcare algorithms creating racial biases in hospitals, according to this study?
  • How could these biases be addressed, according to Dr. Morgan?

Focus Questions

What do you think is the best way to ensure patients are not harmed by racial bias as described in this paper? Media literacy : What other information would you want to better understand how some people might be impacted by racial bias in hospital systems?

For More

What students can do : Racial disparities were especially severe during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the following video from early in the pandemic and note how some of the bias described in the report in the main story may have contributed to this disparity in COVID-19 outcomes.

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