Moving Toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Barriers, Consequences, and Solutions.

In this issue of Academic Pediatrics, we present a collection of 11 educational innovations that have the potential to foster antiracist learning in clinical environments. 1. Corley A.S. Lopez M.A. Orr C.J. et al. Walking the walk: novel medical education approaches to combat racism. Acad Pediatr. 2023; 23: 1489-1491 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar Educational efforts to address antiracism align within broader initiatives to prioritize and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across pediatric academic and clinical landscapes. 2. Goza S.H. Beers L.S. Yasuda K.E. et al. Truth, reconciliation, and transformation: continuing on the path to equity. Pediatrics. 2020; 146: 449-451https://doi.org/10.1542/PEDS.2020-019794 Crossref Scopus (10) Google Scholar , 3. Orr C.J. Montez K.G. Omoruyi E.A. et al. Implementing what we preach: anti-racist recommendations from the Academic Pediatric Association leadership development nomination committee task force. Acad Pediatr. 2022; 22: 356-359https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.01.004 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar This focus on DEI in pediatrics is supported by the increasing diversity of US children, 4. Raphael J.L. Freed G.L. Ampah S.B. et al. Faculty perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion: building a foundation for pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2023; 151https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058394 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar persistent inequities in child health, 4. Raphael J.L. Freed G.L. Ampah S.B. et al. Faculty perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion: building a foundation for pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2023; 151https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058394 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar stagnation in physician workforce diversity, 5. Morris D.B. Gruppuso P.A. McGee H.A. et al. Diversity of the national medical student body—four decades of inequities. N Engl J Med. 2021; 384: 1661-1668https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr2028487 Crossref PubMed Scopus (87) Google Scholar and recognition of the adverse effects of the diversity tax on racial and ethnic minoritized individuals who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). 4. Raphael J.L. Freed G.L. Ampah S.B. et al. Faculty perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion: building a foundation for pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2023; 151https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058394 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar Through the diversity tax, URiM individuals are expected to participate in or lead DEI activities without resources or recognition. Attention to DEI is also supported by evidence demonstrating the positive impact on clinical decision making, the learning environment, and generation of diverse research questions. 6. Pletcher B.A. Rimsza M.E. Basco W.T. et al. Enhancing pediatric workforce diversity and providing culturally effective pediatric care: implications for practice, education, and policy making. Pediatrics. 2013; 132: e1105-e1116https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-2268 Crossref PubMed Scopus (58) Google Scholar Increasingly, DEI has been promoted by regulatory changes in health care with payers and standard setting organizations, such as the Joint Commission, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and US News and World Reports hospital rankings having established new DEI-related measures. 7. The Joint Commission. Advancing health care equity, together. Accessed July 5, 2023. 〈https://www.jointcommission.org/our-priorities/health-care-equity/〉. Google Scholar , 8. National Committee for Quality Assurance. Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Accessed July 5, 2023. 〈https://www.ncqa.org/about-ncqa/dei/〉. Google Scholar , 9. Olmsted MG, Powell R, Murphy J, et al. Methodology: US News and World Report best children’s hospital 2022–2023. Published July 21, 2022. Accessed July 5, 2023. https://health.usnews.com/media/best-hospitals/BCH_Methodology_2022-23.pdf. Google Scholar