This Black woman’s bone density scan results list her ethnicity as ‘white.’ Why that’s a problem

When Lorraine Brown received her bone density scan results earlier this year, she was taken aback to discover that the lab had identified her ethnicity as ‘white’ and based the results on norms for Caucasian women, despite being Black.

Upon further investigation, Brown was informed that the lab machines ‘default to white’ which could potentially skew her results. This revelation left her feeling enraged as she realized that this practice erases the diversity of women of color in healthcare, a pattern she believes has been ongoing in Canada for far too long.

Brown’s family doctor had recommended the bone density scan due to her age of over 60 years. However, the results listed her as white, even though she had not provided her ethnicity on any paperwork at the private health clinic. Despite her efforts to seek clarification from the Well Health Diagnostic Centre and GE Healthcare, the manufacturer of the bone density scanner, Brown was met with a lack of satisfactory answers.

A call center representative suggested that all bone density tests default to white, regardless of the patient’s ethnicity. This misinformation left Brown feeling skeptical about the accuracy of her results and raised concerns about the lack of representation and inclusion in medical diagnostics for people of color.

GE Healthcare clarified that before each patient scan, the system prompts the user to select their gender and ethnicity. While the ethnicity chosen does not affect the scan itself, it is used to interpret the results. The company assured that the test could be rerun with the correct ethnicity inputted without the need for rescanning the patient.

Chenai Kadungure, the executive director of the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, highlighted the prevalence of medical tests based on white or male baselines leading to health disparities and misdiagnoses. She emphasized the importance of addressing inherent racism in medicine to ensure equitable healthcare for all individuals.

Drug trials predominantly involving white patients and the overlooking of women’s unique physiology further compound health disparities for Black and Indigenous populations. Kadungure stressed the need for personalized healthcare that considers age, gender, and race to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.

The Black Physicians Association has advised the London Health Sciences Centre on culturally-appropriate community screening practices. While the hospital declined to comment on this specific case, Brown is hopeful that her concerns will be addressed during her follow-up appointment with her doctor.

In conclusion, Brown advocates for eliminating the ethnicity component from medical test results if it does not impact the diagnosis. She urges for a more inclusive approach to healthcare that considers diverse patient populations to provide accurate and personalized care. Patient safety remains a top priority for GE Healthcare, reaffirming their commitment to developing products that benefit all individuals.