How Does Race Correction Play Out in the Sprometer?

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The sprometer works by comparing actual lung volume with expected lung volume. What is expected is calibrated by various metrics, including height, age and sex. And one of those metrics is race - black people have a 10-14% smaller lung capacity than their white counterparts. The same 3.5 litre volume if measured in an equivalent white man would be considered around 78% of the predicted lung volume. Two men of the same age and height, being treated differently, solely because of the colour of their skin.

When COVID-19 hit it didn't kill indiscriminately. In the US, being Black, Hispanic, or Native American meant you had a much greater risk of death than if you were white. And these disparities are mirrored across the world.

In this episode we explore the complex tale behind this disparity. Throughout history, racism and biases have been embedded within medical technology, along the clinicians who use it. Cultural concepts of race have been falsely conflated with biology. The way medicine is taught, has reinforced flawed stereotypes. Disease itself, has been racialised. All of this adds up to barriers to care and worse health outcomes for many people, just because of the colour of their skin.

Science and scientists have played an influential part in embedding such racism into medicine But by challenging received wisdom science too has the power to right wrongs, and work towards solutions.

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