A recent paper titled, Guiding Principles to Address the Impact of Algorithm Bias on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care, published in JAMA Network Open discusses the application of algorithms in healthcare, focusing on their influence on racial and ethnic differences in treatment and methods for detecting and reducing biases.
What happened
A panel of researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened to address potential biases in healthcare algorithms. This panel developed a set of guiding principles to mitigate and prevent these biases, aligning with the Biden Administration's Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, issued on February 16, 2023. The following guiding principles were developed after a two-day meeting in March 2023,
- Foster equity in health and healthcare throughout each stage of the healthcare algorithm's life cycle.
- Make certain that healthcare algorithms and their application are clear and understandable.
- Involve patients and communities in every phase of the healthcare algorithm's life cycle, cultivating trust.
- Consciously address and outline issues related to fairness and necessary compromises within healthcare algorithms.
- Implement a system of responsibility to ensure just and equitable results from using healthcare algorithms.
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Why it matters
These biases can lead to unequal treatment and outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities, exacerbating healthcare disparities. Establishing principles that promote equity, transparency, community engagement, fairness, and accountability directly contributes to creating more equitable healthcare systems. It ensures that the benefits of technological advancements in healthcare are accessible to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, thereby supporting the broader goal of advancing racial equity.
What they’re saying
“Promise aside, algorithmic bias has harmed minoritized communities in housing, banking, and education, and healthcare is no different, so AHRQ’s guiding principles are a start in addressing potential bias,” said AHRQ Director Dr. Robert Valdez. “Algorithm developers, algorithm users, healthcare executives, and regulators must make conscious decisions to mitigate and prevent racial and ethnic bias in tools that may perpetuate healthcare inequities and reduce care quality.”
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The big picture
The next steps involve integrating these principles into developing and applying healthcare algorithms. By acknowledging and actively working to mitigate these biases, healthcare providers and technologists can ensure that advancements in AI and algorithmic tools contribute positively to patient care without perpetuating existing racial and ethnic disparities. The guiding principles and frameworks set forth by experts in the field aim to create a healthcare environment where technology enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness equitably. This focus is necessary for improving all patients' health outcomes and upholding ethical standards in healthcare.
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Kirsten Peremore
