Retired Researcher Puts the (Mis)use of Race in Medicine Under the Microscope

According to retired physician Ted Marcy, no. Sickle cell anemia is often mislabeled a “Black” disease, but the gene responsible for it is found in populations from regions historically affected by malaria. Likewise, cystic fibrosis is incorrectly stereotyped as a “white” disease. These conditions are tied to ancestry and geography, not socially defined race categories.

Marcy highlights that factors such as socioeconomic status, education, occupation, and income have a stronger influence on disease prevalence than race. For example, individuals with less than a high school education have a higher likelihood of developing diabetes, regardless of their race.

Marcy recommends removing race from the chief complaint or medical history and replacing it with more detailed social and environmental context. For example, instead of labeling a patient as a “30-year-old Black male,” physicians should note relevant factors such as immigration history, socioeconomic situation, or community context. The goal is to focus on real health determinants rather than assumptions associated with racial categories.