Decolonize Medical Science. Papers overview
Decolonising medical science addresses the impact of colonialism on healthcare, research, and education, aiming to rectify biases and inequalities. This is crucial as our scientific knowledge has often been limited to a specific demographic, resulting in healthcare access and outcomes disparities. False beliefs based on racial stereotypes, such as physiological differences in Black individuals, persist from colonial racist frameworks and have detrimental effects. Here are papers discussing contemporary medical and technological challenges disproportionately affecting Black individuals. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackHealthMatter
General paper on harmful race-based practices that persist in biomedical and clinical research
Cerdeña et al. 2022. Racialising genetic risk: assumptions, realities, and recommendations. Link
Cerdeña et al. 2020. From race-based to race-conscious medicine: how anti-racist uprisings call us to act. Link
Black body and spirometry (lung function test)
In its current implementation, the spirometry test incorporates race to determine the thresholds for impaired lung function. Black patients must show more lung damage than patients of other races to be classified as having abnormal results and receive appropriate diagnoses and treatment.
Elmaleh-Sachs et al. 2021. Race/Ethnicity, Spirometry Reference Equations, and Prediction of
Incident Clinical Events. Link
Bowerman et al. 2023. A Race-neutral Approach to the Interpretation of Lung Function Measurements. Link
Black babies and Apgar score (diagnostic test for newborns)
The issue with the Apgar score for Black babies is that it relies on skin colour, precisely pink, as one of the assessment criteria. This variable is problematic because it does not adequately account for the natural variation in skin colour among different racial and ethnic groups, leading to potential misinterpretation and lower scores for Black infants.
Edwards et al. 2022. Associations between provider-assigned Apgar score and neonatal race. Link
Gillette et al. 2022. Associations between low Apgar scores and mortality by race in the United States: A cohort study of 6,809,653 infants. Link
Black skin and Pulse Oximetry (tool to measure oxygen in the blood)
Pulse oximetry, a method used to measure oxygen levels in the blood, may provide inaccurate readings in individuals with dark skin due to the potential for light absorption by the skin pigments. This can lead to an underestimation of oxygen saturation levels and potential misinterpretation of the readings.
Cabanas et al. 2022. Skin Pigmentation Influence on Pulse Oximetry Accuracy: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis. Link
Sjoding et al. 2020. Racial Bias in Pulse Oximetry Measurement. Link
Black skin, coily hair and brain electrode scans (EEG)
EEG may provide less accurate results in individuals with specific hair structures, such as tightly coiled or kinky hair. The presence of thick or densely packed hair can pose challenges in achieving a consistent and reliable electrical connection between the electrodes and the scalp, potentially leading to inaccurate readings.
Penner et al. 2023. Racial disparities in EEG research and their implications for our understanding of the maternal brain. Link
Choy et al. 2021. Systemic Racism in EEG Research: Considerations and Potential Solutions. Link
Being a black person and pain
There is a harmful misconception that Black individuals experience less pain than their white counterparts, leading to their experiences being disregarded or underestimated.