In the United States during the 21st century, the numbers of medical students underrepresented in medicine (URiM) choosing to train in general pediatrics and pediatric subspecialties are considerably lower than the representation of minoritized groups in the general population.1 This trend is mirrored in the numbers of URiM faculty at academic medical centers2. Such disparities may negatively impact attempts to provide equitable health care for infants, children and adolescents, with particularly deleterious effects for pediatric patients of color.
The National Medical Association (NMA), the largest medical organization in the United States for African American physicians and their patients, is attempting to create a unified dialogue on this issue and partner with other pediatric organizations to address this problem.
At the NMA’s 2023 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in New Orleans (July 29-August 2, 2023), the Association’s Pediatric Section is holding an Organizational Pediatrics Forum on Monday, July 31, 8:30 am-11:00 am. This session will bring together the Section’s members from across the country as well as leaders from major national pediatric organizations, including groups representing academic and community pediatricians (the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics, the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, the Academic Pediatric Association, and the American Pediatric Society), pediatric medical education (the Association of Pediatric Program Directors and the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics) and pediatric subspecialists (the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society). This gathering is the first of its kind and aims to serve as a springboard for future efforts to increase URiM representation in the pediatric workforce.
“Our vision of success is the consistent measurable increase in the number of African American pediatricians. This includes a pediatric workforce providing care in the community, doing discovery and research in academia, and in decision-making leadership positions in both community and academic pediatrics.”, states Yasmin Tyler-Hill, MD, FAAP, chair of the Section.
“In recent years, major pediatric organizations have attempted to address these issues, albeit in a somewhat siloed fashion”, notes W. Christopher Golden, MD, FAAP, chair-elect of the Section. “The Executive Committee of our Section feels that bringing leadership from these organizations together with a body of African American pediatricians would facilitate synergistic efforts towards a common goal of increasing the number of URiM pediatricians in the United States.”
References:
1. Montez K, Omoruyi EA, MPH, McNeal-Trice K, Mack WJ, Yemane L, Darden AR,Russell CJ. Trends in race/ethnicity of pediatric residents and fellows: 2007–2019. Pediatrics. 2021;148(1):e2020026666.
2. Omoruyi EA, Orr CJ, Russell G, Montez K. Trends in the diversity of pediatric faculty: 2000 to 2020. Pediatrics.2022;150(3):e2021055472.
