NYC Medical Coalition Pledges To Remove Racially Biased Algorithms From Patient Treatment Options

A coalition of medical experts from New York City hospitals has pledged to tackle racially biased computer algorithms that are used to diagnose diseases or decide routes of patient care. It aims to do away with at least one algorithm that uses race as a factor in determining patient treatment within the next two years. 

This announcement to launch the Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms (CERCA) comes after the city's health department declared in October that racism is a public health crisis. The 12-member group includes leaders and medical experts from public and private hospitals across the city. They will collaborate with health providers in raising awareness.

“It starts with consciousness, understanding the problem,” said Dr. Michelle Morse, chief medical officer at the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “We have to agree the practice is harmful and then do the actual work with the laboratory.”

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