The Skin of Color Society, NEJM Group, and VisualDx are proud to announce a series of virtual panel discussions that call attention to health disparities and structural racism in medicine. The four-part webinar series, “The Impact of Skin Color and Ethnicity on Clinical Diagnosis and Research,” will delve into longstanding problems in education, research, and patient care as well as introduce ways to improve outcomes in marginalized patients.
Studies have shown patients with darker skin face worst health outcomes than patients with lighter skin. This free series will address socioeconomic factors, structural racism, and implicit bias that lead to disparities, as well as look at how the medical community can address these issues by offering tangible, real-world solutions. Each discussion will feature insights from renowned experts, thought leaders, and advocates that are driving the industry forward to improve the health and lives of underrepresented populations.
“For 20 years, we have been committed to improving diagnosis and care in patients with skin of color,” said Art Papier, MD, CEO of VisualDx. “We are thrilled to team up with such exemplary partners who share in that commitment. Now is the time to not only talk about racial disparities, but to do something impactful about the problem by equipping our clinicians with the comprehensive information tools needed to improve patient care.”
All webinars feature leading physicians in their fields. These events are free and open to the public but are geared toward front-line healthcare workers.
The Webinar Series:
Structural Racism and Racial Bias in Medicine
Wednesday, October 28
1–2:15pm ET / 10–11:15am PT
Moderator: Susan Saulny
Panelists: Susan C. Taylor, MD
Henry W. Lim, MD
Maritza I. Perez, MD
Disparities in health care exist because of socioeconomic factors, structural racism, and implicit bias. Panelists will identify the problems and discuss what solutions are in place that could improve health disparities such as medical education, training more underrepresented-minority physicians, more funding for research, and fast-tracking publication of research.
Hair Disorders in People of Color
Thursday, November 12
1–2:15pm ET / 10–11:15am PT
Moderator: Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH
Panelists: Ncoza Dlova, MBChB, FCDerm, PhD
Amy McMichael, MD
External and systemic diseases can cause hair loss. Misdiagnosis often occurs when hair loss is considered cosmetic and not a medical problem. Ethnicity affects the significance and cultural meaning of hair loss, and physicians need to know how each patient is being affected. Hair disorders constitute a significant health problem and affect health care access because of the length and complexity of the visits.
Pigmentary Disorders and Keloids
Wednesday, November 18
1–2:15pm ET / 10–11:15am PT
Moderator: Pearl E. Grimes, MD
Panelists: Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD
Donald A. Glass II, MD, PhD
Panelists (Patient Stories): Dhaval Desai, MD
Titilola Sode, MD
Pigmentary disorders and keloids can be signs of systemic disease and can cause significant psychological impact and social ramifications. Panelists will discuss the breadth of pigmentary disorders, including vitiligo, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and utilize global scientific literature to update the audience on newer therapeutic options.
COVID-19 Comorbidities and Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Diseases in Adults and Children
Wednesday, December 2
1–2:15pm ET / 10–11:15am PT
Moderator: Kimberly Manning, MD
Panelists: Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, FAAD
Candrice R. Heath, MD
Jenna Lester, MD
Panelists will focus on the challenges physicians face in recognizing systemic diseases in melanin-rich skin types. There can be delays and misdiagnosis of life-threatening diseases when color changes related to the disease are not recognized. The skin signs of COVID-19 co-morbidities, i.e., diabetes and pulmonary disease, will be discussed in adults and children.
This event series, The Impact of Skin Color and Ethnicity on Clinical Diagnosis and Research, is brought to you by the Skin of Color Society Foundation (a non-profit, with its mission of education, research and mentoring surrounding skin of color), NEJM Group, and VisualDx (the leading visual diagnostic accuracy company).