On Racism, Implicit Bias, and Health in All Policies

“On behalf of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, we express our deep concern regarding the impact of discrimination, racism, and the resultant dehumanization, marginalization, and preventable deaths of people of color. We consider racism a public health crisis and stand against all forms of racism, discrimination, and bias in our institutions, communities, and society,” said Dr. Conti.

Family physicians are uniquely intertwined with the communities they serve, and thus as an Academy, work to ensure all patients and their families feel like valued, equal members of society. The American Academy of Family Physicians’ Center for Diversity and Health Equity recently awarded the PAFP with grant funding to provide implicit bias training to its members through a campaign that promotes education, practice, feedback, reflection, and change.

The elimination of health disparities will not be achieved without first acknowledging racism’s contribution to health and social inequalities. This includes inequitable access to quality health care services. The PAFP has drafted and presented to Governor Wolf and Lieutenant Governor Fetterman a Pennsylvania-specific executive order outlining a “Health in All Policies” (HiAP) strategy to address social determinants of health and health disparities in the Commonwealth, and cement an innovative approach to state health policy leadership into the future. HiAP would infuse health care considerations in state public policy decision-making among state agencies.

“As an Academy, we are working to ensure equity, parity, justice, and the elimination of bias in the delivery of health care to the communities and patients we serve,” Conti said. “Yet much work is ahead of us.”

— Tracey Conti, MD, President
The Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians