No struggle,no progress: Taking the anti-racism conversation to a deeper level

Abstract

In order to promote ongoing dialogues about how to address racism in health care, the 2021 Forum on Behavioral Science included a workshop on how to take antiracism activities and conversations to a deeper level than what is typically offered. The workshop followed up on a previous antiracism plenary presentation at the 2020 Forum and was intentionally created to keep the importance of antiracism efforts on the forefront of behavioral science and medical education. The currently described presentation provided some background on how health inequity evolved in the United States. It also included information on the role that racism has played in the development of inequities in health care, the profession of medicine and medical education. Presenters included several activities specifically chosen to promote honest, open conversations about power imbalances that promote discrimination on the micro and macrosystem level. Participants were encouraged to start working on specific goals and ideas on how to conduct these activities and challenging conversations in their home institutions.