Advocacy Toolkit

Academic Family Medicine Organizations' Statement

The organizations of the Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee are resolute in our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our organizations develop and advance strategic antiracism initiatives, including curricula, programs, and partnerships. Diversity in the primary care workforce helps eliminate health disparities, drives scientific innovation, and improves health, especially for historically marginalized populations. To ensure future physicians practice cultural humility, their peers, faculty, and staff must reflect the diversity of their populations, and their training must embrace diversity and inclusion.

What’s the issue?

Programs at public universities and colleges supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of legislative agendas nationwide. Lawmakers have introduced statewide bills to dissolve DEI offices and eliminate anti-bias training and diversity statements within educational institutions and universities. There are more than 30 bills nationwide targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public colleges. CAFM organizations are engaging on this topic, as the repercussions pose significant implications for the future of academic family medicine.

Here’s what the academic family medicine organizations are doing:

Our organizations are deeply concerned about the erasure of DEI in medical institutions. We are closely monitoring state legislation and encourage members to participate in advocacy initiatives to increase awareness of state anti-DEI bills sweeping the country. Legislation aimed at removing the practice of DEI will significantly impact the future of medicine.