Friend or foe: A closer look at the role of health care algorithms in racial and ethnic disparities.

A recent study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has examined the role of health care algorithms in perpetuating racial and ethnic disparities. The study found that removing race from a kidney function algorithm had unintended consequences, such as reducing chemotherapy access and eligibility for clinical trials for Black patients. The researchers emphasized the importance of intentionality in algorithm development and suggested strategies to mitigate disparities, including using non-race variables and refining algorithms to minimize disparities across groups. The study highlights the need for transparency and a race-aware approach in algorithm development to promote health care equity. [Extracted from the article]