Overview: Dr. David Acosta, chief diversity and inclusion officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), addressed diversity and equity challenges in medical education during the annual University of California Riverside (UCR) School of Medicine J.W. Vines Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Colloquium. The event aimed to engage students, staff, and community members in discussions about recent issues impacting health care, medical students, and medical institutions. The EDUCATE Act, which could potentially impact admissions, curriculum, and students and faculty, was discussed, as well as the potential impact of anti-DEI laws in states that have already passed such laws. The resolution introduced by Rep. Joyce Beatty and Rep. Kathy Castor affirms congressional support for DEI programs and academic freedom at medical education institutions.
Breanna Reeves
Students, faculty and community members filled the room in anticipation of Dr. David Acosta’s address on diversity and equity challenges in medical education during the inaugural University of California Riverside (UCR) School of Medicine J.W. Vines Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Colloquium on May 22.
Recently renamed in honor of the contributions and advocacy of the J.W. Vines Society to UCR’s School of Medicine, the colloquium fosters engagement among students, staff and people in the community regarding recent issues impacting health care, medical students and medical institutions.
“There are some unfortunate challenges right now in diversity, equity and inclusion, but we think that it’s really important to have these discussions of what the challenges are and what ways we can continue to do the work that we think is part of the mission of our institution,” said Dr. Denise Martinez, associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at the UCR SOM.
Over the last few months, controversies surrounding DEI have increased across the nation, with efforts to eliminate and defund any initiatives that involve diversity, equity and inclusion. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education’s DEI Legislation Tracker, since 2023, 84 bills have been introduced in 28 states and Congress, 12 of which have been signed into law, 13 have final legislative approval, and 38 have been tabled, failed to pass or vetoed.
On March 19, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., introduced the Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act. The bill would prohibit medical schools from receiving federal funding if they practice policies and requirements related to DEI.
Dr. Acosta, chief diversity and inclusion officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) cautioned that although the EDUCATE Act hasn’t been passed, there are several potential impacts to admissions, curriculum and students and faculty to consider if this bill is passed.
“The potential impact that it could have is we could see a decrease in a lot of our underrepresented minorities that are applying to medical school, specifically in those states that have anti-DEI laws in place,” Dr. Acosta explained in an interview with Black Voice News.
In regions like the Inland Empire, known to be one of the most medically underserved regions in the nation and with such a robust and diverse population, creating a workforce that can supply culturally competent and appropriate care is an important pillar of UCR’s School of Medicine’s DEI Office.
According to Dr. Martinez, the purpose of her office is to be intentional about maintaining equitable practices and expanding a workforce who will provide care to bridge the gaps in health disparities that impact historically underserved communities.
“Over 70% of the people that are in medical school came from the highest percentile in income and only about 5 to 8% of the students that come from minority backgrounds and different backgrounds, they only make up 5 to 8%,” Dr. Acosta explained. “And that’s devastating when you think about that.”
As California’s population grows and increases, so is the demographic makeup of residents. Recent studies and surveys have reported that patients feel more comfortable, respected and listened to when being treated by a provider from the same or similar cultural and racial/ethnic background.
During the colloquium, Dr. Acosta acknowledged the changing landscape of higher education and medical professions as more restrictives laws and bans are put in place such as the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that put an end to affirmative action in higher learning and the court’s subsequent ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade.
With anti-DEI laws being enacted, Dr. Acosta noted that state lawmakers may fail to consider the consequences of these laws further down the line.
“The potential impact that it could have is we could see a decrease in a lot of our underrepresented minorities that are applying to medical school, specifically in those states that have anti-DEI laws in place,” Dr. Acosta explained.
As a result, underserved populations in these states will bear the weight of the consequences of anti-DEI laws, in a way these populations are currently facing the consequences of abortion bans. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder calculated a 24% increase in maternal deaths in the U.S. if abortion were completely banned, with Black women projected to see a 39% increase.
“Will we no longer be able to have courses that address, specifically, biases in medicine, structural racism in medicine, discrimination in medicine, and health disparities, and health inequities that our communities, especially our marginalized communities, experience?” Dr. Acosta asked.
But as DEI offices are shuttered and anti-DEI laws are put in place, Dr. Acosta urged the room full of UCR SOM faculty, medical students and doctors to think outside of the box and look for loopholes.
In 1996, California passed Proposition 209, effectively ending the use of affirmative action in public employment, public education and public contracting. However, UC’s across the state developed outreach strategies toward underrepresented candidates and adopted admission practices to review student applications.
Similarly, Dr. Acosta encouraged administrators to “reinvent yourselves” where all sectors within academic affairs share the responsibilities of the diversity, equity and inclusion workload. He encouraged the room to think critically about current legislation and consider what can be learned from other medical schools and residency programs in states that have anti-affirmative actions in place.
To counter the EDUCATE Act, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ DEI Task Force, and Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), co-chair of the Congressional Academic Medicine Caucus, introduced a resolution that would affirm congressional support for DEI programs and “academic freedom at medical education institutions.” Introduced on April 30, the resolution has been endorsed by 21 medical organizations, including the AAMC.