ASN Society News - June 1, 2020
ASN Statement Against Racism
Washington, DC (June 1, 2020)—The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is proud of its efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among kidney health professionals. This commitment is hollow, however, if ASN fails to oppose racism. ASN strongly supports and will advance efforts to achieve equality to reduce the adverse impact of racism, especially on health and in health care.
Of the more than 37 million people with kidney diseases in the United States, a disproportionate number are of African, Latino, and Native American descent. The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening health disparities and social determinants of health, especially for people with kidney diseases.
Due to fearmongering around COVID-19, health care workers, including kidney health professionals, are experiencing racism. For health care workers, these incidents are expected to worsen the pandemic's effect on mental health and burnout, increase the suicide risk, and accelerate their departure from the workforce.
Racism prevents ASN from fulfilling its mission to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases and to advance the highest quality of care for patients.
ASN joins the Council of Medical Specialty Societies and other associations in opposing racism; addressing health disparities and social determinants of health; and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.