The American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued the following statement: “In recent weeks, our nation has again suffered a series of events which illuminate the disparities of our healthcare system and our society in general. Healthcare and economic disparities account for vastly disproportionate disease and death rates among African Americans, once again magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a professional medical organization, the American College of Radiology recognizes these events as tragedies not only for our population, patients, and frontline colleagues, but for our profession and nation, that must be addressed.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. noted in 1963, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” 

We support the victims of senseless violence while we work to increase diversity, inclusion and access to care in our field of radiology. 

While recent events have been tragic, and even shocking, we still have the opportunity to address inequity in healthcare and social justice disparity in America in ways that preserve the safety and dignity of all involved. We look forward to working with other medical providers, affected communities, lawmakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to address such inequities and affect positive change together.”

For more information, visit the American College of Radiology.