Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee Statement
The organizations of the Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee are resolute in our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our organizations develop and advance strategic antiracism initiatives, including curricula, programs, and partnerships. Diversity in the primary care workforce helps eliminate health disparities, drives scientific innovation, and improves health, especially for historically marginalized populations. To ensure future physicians practice cultural humility, their peers, faculty, and staff must reflect the diversity of their populations, and their training must embrace diversity and inclusion.The academic family medicine organizations are engaging on this topic, as the repercussions pose significant implications for the future of academic family medicine.
What's the Issue
Programs at public universities and colleges supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of legislative agendas nationwide. Lawmakers have introduced statewide bills to dissolve DEI offices and eliminate anti-bias training and diversity statements within educational institutions and universities. There have been dozens of bills nationwide targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public colleges. These bills would limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at state-funded institutions.The academic family medicine organizations are engaging on this topic, as the repercussions pose significant implications for the future of academic family medicine.
What the Academic Family Medicine Organizations Are Doing
Our organizations are deeply concerned about the erasure of DEI in medical institutions. We are closely monitoring state legislation and encourage members to participate in advocacy initiatives to increase awareness of state anti-DEI bills sweeping the country. Legislation aimed at removing the practice of DEI will significantly impact the future of medicine.
Quick Links to Get Involved
If you would like to get involved by contacting your state legislature about the harms of anti-DEI legislation, please use our templated speak-out letter. To identify who your representative is, use this link. Please help spread the word about the toolkit on social media. Find social media graphics and sample messages under the "Social Media" tab located at the bottom of this page.
- Find your state representative
- Templated speak-out letter
- The Academic Council on Graduate Medical Education DEI Pathway (Page 19)
If you need assistance contacting your state legislature, please email Nina DeJonghe.
DEI Resources and Readings
Social Media Resources
Share these graphics and messages on your social media accounts:
Social Media Messaging
Join me in advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Family Medicine! Use the new DEI Advocacy Toolkit to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. Track state and national legislation affecting DEI initiatives and contact your representatives to advocate for health equity. Access the toolkit here to create awareness: https://bit.ly/3UDVzgW. Together, let's create a more equitable future in family medicine! #DEI #HealthEquity #MedEd #FamilyMedicine #DEIToolKit
Diversity in the primary care workforce helps eliminate health disparities, drives scientific innovation, and improves health. We need DEI. Contact @(legislator handle here) and tell (him/her/they) to vote no on (bill # here). Diversity in medicine improves the health of communities. #DEI #FamilyMedicine #Diversity
STFM Resources
DEI Legislation News
- DEI Attacks Pose Threats to Medical Training, Care
- Anti-DEI Initiatives in Medicine Harm Us All
- University of Florida terminates all DEI employees to comply with state regulation
- ‘DEI must die’: Nebraska bill would ban university diversity pledges
- New PA legislation would block colleges from requiring DEI courses
Published Papers
- How Do We Move the Needle?: Building a Framework for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within Graduate Medical Education
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity in Academic Family Medicine
- Coming Together in Action for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Healthcare Workforce
- Educational Outcomes of Diversity Curricula in Graduate Medical Education
- Building a Framework for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Within Graduate Medical
- Educational Outcomes of Diversity Curricula in Graduate Medical Education
