Code Switch How race science shows up at the doctor's office
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May 21, 2025 Dr. Andrea Deyrup, a medical professor at Duke University, sheds light on the pitfalls of race-based medicine. She discusses how race is inaccurately used in diagnosing conditions like keloids and cystic fibrosis, leading to delayed diagnoses. The conversation challenges the misconceptions embedded in medical education and emphasizes the need to address social determinants of health. Dr. Deyrup advocates for a more nuanced understanding of health risks that goes beyond race, promoting systemic changes to improve patient care for all.
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Keloids' Misattributed Race Link
- The 16% risk of keloids in Black people originated from a 1931 observation of workers in the Belgian Congo.
- This single, outdated source has wrongly influenced medical teachings for nearly 90 years.
Race Oversimplifies Genetic Risk
- Race-based medicine often oversimplifies genetic diversity, leading to missed diagnoses.
- For example, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease risk is inaccurately generalized to certain races, ignoring true genetic factors.
Environment Drives Health Disparities
- Health disparities arise from environmental factors like redlining, not solely biology.
- Recognizing environmental causes redirects public health efforts toward fixing living conditions rather than blaming genetics.
