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Howard Bauchner, the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the most powerful and influential journals in medicine, has stepped down from his position due to the 9,000 + signature petition calling for his resignation. Recently the editor aired a podcast and posted a tweet questioning whether structural racism exists in medicine.

The JAMA has published several “opinions” over the course of the past year which were stated as “facts.” The journal is highly influential in the medical community and is one of the most powerful medical lobbying groups on an international level.

Examples of published false statements:

1. The higher death rate from COVID-19 in African Americans is a result of a single gene in this race’s nasal passages (not true). JAMA 2020;324(15):1567-1568.
2. Pulse oximeters cannot exhibit bias with dark skinned patients; therefore, there is no structural racism in African American patient care. (Pulse oximeters are not as accurate in dark skinned individuals of any race).
3. Medical school programs designed to increase diversity do not make good doctors (there is no evidence to support this statement)

References:
McFarling U. L. Stat News. June 1, 2021.

Bunyavanich S, Grant C, Vicencio A. Racial/Ethnic Variation in Nasal Gene Expression of Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSSA2). JAMA 2020;324(15):1567-1568.

Training for pediatric residents has been different from previous pediatric residencies due to the mental health crisis in the pediatric and adolescent population. The leading mental health adolescent diagnoses are eating disorders, depression and anxiety. Currently, the residencies resemble those of pediatric psychiatrists due to a decrease of contagious, communicable infections and decreased rates of respiratory illnesses. The result of this phenomena is causing a shortage of pediatric residents because many are switching specialties from pediatrics to family medicine or emergency medicine.

References: Gaffney T. New Pediatricians are seeing few “bread and butter” cases, but an influx of mental health crises. Stat News, 6/1/2021.

The numbers of people getting tattoos has increased over the past 20 years. Approximately 38% of people ages 18-29 have at least one tattoo. Most are unaware of the risks, from infection to exposure to heavy metals to being unable to detect skin cancers. The inks used to create tattoos contain pigments from heavy metals. There is a concern that these toxins could raise the risk of cancer, DNA damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and weakening immune function.