Diagnostic Health Equity: Another day, another slide under the microscope. Each one tells a story—of a patient, a Each day, new slides pass under my lens. Each slide represents a story—one filled with patients, families, uncertainty, and moments that might mark either the beginning or the end of a medical journey. Every case is different, yet each one matters deeply.
Diagnosing Beyond Divides
Today, we live in turbulent times. Political, racial, and socioeconomic divides seem to grow wider. However, the microscope tells a different story. It reveals no political beliefs, cultural assumptions, or social categories. Instead, it shows only cells—stained in a rainbow of colors, shining with the same clarity for everyone.
Pathologists often work behind the scenes, but our role is essential. Treatment doesn’t begin with medication or surgery; it starts with diagnosis. Without accurate diagnosis, equitable treatment becomes impossible.
Removing Bias from the Lab
Pathology, as a discipline, has made equity a priority. Instead of relying on outdated assumptions, we now examine test protocols to ensure fairness. For instance, pathologists have advocated for eliminating race-based adjustments in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting—a practice that historically underestimated kidney disease severity in Black patients. Furthermore, we helped end sex-based ferritin reporting, moving toward data that better reflects real patient health rather than gender norms.
These weren’t passive updates—they were intentional, evidence-driven changes. We chose to challenge the status quo because we recognized that equity must start where health care begins: in the lab.
Building Health Equity Systemwide
At my health system, we believe that advancing health equity requires more than policy statements—it demands action. Campaigns like United Against Racism and For Every Patient push us to reflect and reform.
To solidify this commitment, our system applied for The Joint Commission’s Health Equity Certification. This initiative brings a team of reviewers for a one-day, in-depth assessment of our approach to equity. Every department, including laboratory medicine, plays a key role.
As we prepare, lab leaders and I are actively educating staff. We’re developing resources that tackle health literacy gaps—gaps that can hinder both staff understanding and patient care. By improving access to reliable reference materials, we’re ensuring everyone is equipped to deliver fair, informed health care.
The Lab’s Unseen Impact
Roughly 70% of clinical decisions depend on laboratory results. That number isn’t just a statistic—it’s a call to recognize the lab’s influence. Every time a phlebotomist draws blood, a technician runs a test, or a pathologist reviews a slide, we’re impacting a life. Our work reaches every patient, whether they ever see us or not.
Moreover, we must remember the human stories behind those samples. Each drop of blood or tissue section belongs to someone with fears, hopes, and loved ones. We owe it to them to ensure their care is both accurate and equitable. Diagnostic Health Equity
Equity Starts Under the Microscope
Pathologists embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion not because it’s fashionable, but because it’s foundational. We know that when you strip away social labels, we all look the same under the microscope. That simple truth guides our work.
We can’t overlook health equity. It begins the moment a sample is taken—and that moment belongs to us.
Call to Action
True health equity starts at the cellular level. Support your pathology teams. Advocate for unbiased diagnostic standards. And remember: We all look the same under the microscope.
➡️ Learn how you can help advance equity in clinical care at StanfordPhysicianAdvocate.org
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