There is a significant discrepancy between population demographics and representation in dermatology resources, and a critical need for greater diversity and inclusion in educational materials and clinical practice. That’s according to Dr. Patricia Treadwell, Professor Emeritus of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Dr. Treadwell delivered the John Kenney Jr. Lectureship at the 2024 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual scientific sessions.
By addressing these issues, dermatologists can play a crucial role in reducing health inequities and improving care for all patients, regardless of their skin colour or background.
A report on Dr. Treadwell’s presentation by Chronicle Correspondent Louise Gagnon was published in the Sept. 2024 issue of The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy.
Dr. Treadwell emphasized the importance of including a variety of skin types in textbooks to better equip dermatologists when diagnosing skin disorders across diverse populations. She urged contributors to ensure proper representation in their materials. For example, she noted that despite African-Americans and LatinX individuals comprising 32.7% of the U.S. population, dermatology textbooks continue to lack diversity in patient images.
(A new reference work, the Atlas of Skin Images: Supporting Diagnostic Accuracy Across All Skin Types, has been published by Linacre’s Books of Toronto and Buffalo. The authors are Dr. Anna Chacon (Miami), Dr. Yvette Miller-Monthrope (Toronto), and Dr. Jaggi Rao (Edmonton). To order, please send an email to health@chronicle.org)
Under-diagnosis of conditions such as atopic dermatitis in patients with skin of colour remains a concern. Dr. Treadwell noted the under-appreciation of erythema in darker skin tones during clinical examinations, which can lead to misdiagnosis or underestimation of disease severity.
Dr. Treadwell suggested several ways dermatologists can contribute to health equity:
1. Mentorship: Encourage and mentor young dermatologists, residents, and medical students.
2. Precepting: Provide precepting opportunities for aspiring dermatologists.
3. Inclusive Practice: Increase willingness to see patients regardless of insurance status.
She emphasized that individual dermatologists can also offer services to uninsured or underinsured patients to help expand access to care.
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