Health disparities brought to light by COVID-19, plus a hospital at home for COVID patients

Dermatology Weekly

Dermatology News:

1. Low threshold to biopsy atypical lesions may ID vulvar melanoma early, experts say https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/231855/gynecologic-cancer/low-threshold-biopsy-atypical-lesions-may-id-vulvar
2. Chronic inflammatory diseases vary widely in CHD risk https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/231815/cad-atherosclerosis/chronic-inflammatory-diseases-vary-widely-chd-risk
3. ‘Hospital at home’ increases COVID capacity in large study https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/232113/coronavirus-updates/hospital-home-increases-covid-capacity-large-study

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many longstanding health disparities to the forefront, particularly within the field of dermatology. In this episode, Candrice R. Heath, MD (@DrCandriceHeath) talks to Susan C. Taylor, MD, and Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD, about the impact dermatologists can have in reducing health care barriers among skin of color populations. They emphasize the importance of race-concordant visits and reflect on ways to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the dermatology workforce, beginning at the training and residency levels. “[We know] that minority dermatologists serve in underserved communities, that they accept public insurance or no insurance at all. They care for patients with particularly poor health status and are really committed to caring for patients of their own race. So it behooves all of us to examine ... how we can make a change and increase racial ethnic diversity within the specialty of dermatology,” Dr. Taylor explains. They also highlight how organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin of Color Society, among others, are working to institute meaningful change within the specialty.

* * *

Hosts: Nick Andrews; Candrice R. Heath, MD (Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia)

Guests: Susan C. Taylor, MD (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia); Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD (Howard University, Washington)

Disclosures: Dr. Heath reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Taylor is vice president of the AAD. Dr. McKinley-Grant is president of the Skin of Color Society.

Show notes by: Alicia Sonners, Melissa Sears

* * *

You can find more of our podcasts at http://www.mdedge.com/podcasts

Email the show: [e-mail]

Interact with us on Twitter: @MDedgeDerm