Regarding your editorial “Medical Education Goes Woke” (July 27): Medical curricula adapt as new evidence emerges, and the responsibility of the Association of American Medical Colleges is to disseminate new curricular approaches, as we have done with others, such as telehealth. We know from the data that social determinants – the conditions in which people live – and precursors such as poverty and racism account for about half of what affects our health. The disparities in Covid-19 outcomes, particularly among people of color, illustrate why these social determinants cannot be ignored.
We also know that race is a social construct. There is a growing body of evidence about what race is and is not, and its effect on health. These new insights are improving medical practice. They can also improve medical education, where they are taught beyond, not at the expense of, a stronger foundation in STEM disciplines.