Health equity

Health equity

Access news coverage, original research and educational resources related to current issues and ongoing health care equity efforts in the field of radiology.

Health equity in radiology

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RSNA's Health Equity Committee (HEC) develops projects and resources to advance health equity, including grassroots community initiatives and relevant programming, including educational sessions, exhibits and scientific presentations for the RSNA annual meeting. The committee uses a scientific, measured, results-oriented approach to reduce imaging disparities, and encourages RSNA members to champion this work in their communities.

"One of the goals of this committee is to advance the knowledge in health disparities and health equity and share best practices while building a community of radiologists leading these efforts," said Efren J. Flores, MD, co-chair of the HEC and associate professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham Radiology vice chair, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, both in Boston.

Learn more about improving equity in health care through our news coverage, original research and educational resources.

On this page

RSNA takes action
Health equity research
Health equity education

 

RSNA takes action

Explore RSNA's ongoing efforts and contributions toward addressing health care disparities and achieving better health outcomes for all.

Radiologists Can Educate Patients, Help Them Make Healthy Decisions

Participation in community health projects helps radiologists build trust and strengthen connections.

The Road to Addressing Equity in Radiology

Learn more about the comprehensive strategies that are being designed to ensure equitable access to imaging services for all communities in this series of articles by RSNA News. Be sure to explore the infographic.

How We Got Here: The Legacy of Anti-Black Discrimination in Radiology

Authors present a compelling history that connects the low representation of Black radiologists in the U.S. to the persistent health disparities in Black communities that are evident today. RadioGraphics Jan. 12, 2023.

R&E Foundation grants

Since 2022, the R&E Foundation has awarded over $830,000 in grant funding for projects related to health equity and health care disparities. Projects include community support for lung cancer screening, debiasing image-based AI models, addressing disparities in HCC, sustainability of a pilot ride-share intervention and improving osteoporosis screening. Emerging Issues grants enable rapid funding to address urgent issues that threaten the health of disparate populations.

Invited Commentary: From Unacceptable to Intolerable

Jinel A. Scott, MD, examines the RadioGraphics article "How We Got Here: The Legacy of Anti-Black Discrimination in Radiology." RadioGraphics Jan. 12, 2023.

Taking Steps to Promote Better Outcomes

Supported by RSNA’s Health Equity Committee, Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Healthy Southwest, “Walk With a Doc” series is part of RSNA’s ongoing effort to promote health equity and access to care. Weekly walks are planned, covering a variety of health topics June through October in Chicago.

Truth and Transformation: RSNA's Journey Toward Equity

With the help of two key RSNA groups—the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Health Equity Committee—RSNA commits to prioritizing its DEI-related values and goals throughout the organization and to creating a radiology community that is inclusive, equitable and diverse. RadioGraphics March 2, 2023.

Radiology Health Equity Coalition

RSNA supports the Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC). RHEC is a multi-society initiative that encourages and empowers radiologists to improve equity across health care. This guide demonstrates how radiology professionals, imaging practices and health care institutions can advance image equity in underserved communities.


RSNA takes action

Explore RSNA's ongoing efforts and contributions toward addressing health care disparities and achieving better health outcomes for all.

Radiologists Can Educate Patients, Help Them Make Healthy Decisions

Participation in community health projects helps radiologists build trust and strengthen connections.

The Road to Addressing Equity in Radiology

Learn more about the comprehensive strategies that are being designed to ensure equitable access to imaging services for all communities in this series of articles by RSNA News. Be sure to explore the infographic.

How We Got Here: The Legacy of Anti-Black Discrimination in Radiology

Authors present a compelling history that connects the low representation of Black radiologists in the U.S. to the persistent health disparities in Black communities that are evident today. RadioGraphics Jan. 12, 2023.

R&E Foundation grants

Since 2022, the R&E Foundation has awarded over $830,000 in grant funding for projects related to health equity and health care disparities. Projects include community support for lung cancer screening, debiasing image-based AI models, addressing disparities in HCC, sustainability of a pilot ride-share intervention and improving osteoporosis screening. Emerging Issues grants enable rapid funding to address urgent issues that threaten the health of disparate populations.

Invited Commentary: From Unacceptable to Intolerable

Jinel A. Scott, MD, examines the RadioGraphics article "How We Got Here: The Legacy of Anti-Black Discrimination in Radiology." RadioGraphics Jan. 12, 2023.

Taking Steps to Promote Better Outcomes

Supported by RSNA’s Health Equity Committee, Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Healthy Southwest, “Walk With a Doc” series is part of RSNA’s ongoing effort to promote health equity and access to care. Weekly walks are planned, covering a variety of health topics June through October in Chicago.

Truth and Transformation: RSNA's Journey Toward Equity

With the help of two key RSNA groups—the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Health Equity Committee—RSNA commits to prioritizing its DEI-related values and goals throughout the organization and to creating a radiology community that is inclusive, equitable and diverse. RadioGraphics March 2, 2023.

Radiology Health Equity Coalition

RSNA supports the Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC). RHEC is a multi-society initiative that encourages and empowers radiologists to improve equity across health care. This guide demonstrates how radiology professionals, imaging practices and health care institutions can advance image equity in underserved communities.

Health equity research

Find research on screening, preventative care access and health outcomes.

AI for Population and Global Health in Radiology

Radiology: Artificial Intelligence June 22, 2022

 
Health equity research

Find research on screening, preventative care access and health outcomes.

AI for Population and Global Health in Radiology

Radiology: Artificial Intelligence June 22, 2022

 

Health equity education

Find webinars, podcasts and other educational resources focused on health equity.

Providing Imaging Assistance for the Underserved in Your Community

Radiology trainees can make a difference serving the 3,500 medically underserved populations across the U.S.
RSNA News April 18, 2023

Podcast: Accelerating Access to Education and Early Breast Cancer Detection

Drs. Wei Yang and John Scheel share their dedication to improve early detection of breast cancer and flatten the cancer curve globally. They focus on providing equitable care and training for international and underserved communities to boost health care access worldwide. This episode is sponsored by GE HealthCare. RadioGraphics Sept. 19, 2023

Radiology's Role in Achieving Equity in Value-Based Healthcare

In this one-hour webinar, radiology professionals committed to health equity clarify radiology’s role in the value-based health care era and evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that can transform the future of health care. 

Changes Needed to Make Health Care Screenings Equitable

Routine screening for breast, colon and lung cancer is one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer mortality at the population level. Yet not all segments of the U.S. population benefit from these important screening tools equitably. RSNA News April 7, 2023

Access, Cost and Awareness Among the Barriers to Screening Mammography

Despite the increased use of screening mammography over the past 30 years, it remains underutilized. It is estimated that only half of eligible women in the U.S. get the exam despite evidence that screening mammography reduces breast cancer mortality. RSNA News Oct. 17, 2022

Health equity sessions—RSNA 2023

View health equity and DEI sessions from RSNA 2023 to advance your understanding of health disparities, health equity and best practices.


Health equity education

Find webinars, podcasts and other educational resources focused on health equity.

Providing Imaging Assistance for the Underserved in Your Community

Radiology trainees can make a difference serving the 3,500 medically underserved populations across the U.S.
RSNA News April 18, 2023

Podcast: Accelerating Access to Education and Early Breast Cancer Detection

Drs. Wei Yang and John Scheel share their dedication to improve early detection of breast cancer and flatten the cancer curve globally. They focus on providing equitable care and training for international and underserved communities to boost health care access worldwide. This episode is sponsored by GE HealthCare. RadioGraphics Sept. 19, 2023

Radiology's Role in Achieving Equity in Value-Based Healthcare

In this one-hour webinar, radiology professionals committed to health equity clarify radiology’s role in the value-based health care era and evaluate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that can transform the future of health care. 

Changes Needed to Make Health Care Screenings Equitable

Routine screening for breast, colon and lung cancer is one of the most effective ways to reduce cancer mortality at the population level. Yet not all segments of the U.S. population benefit from these important screening tools equitably. RSNA News April 7, 2023

Access, Cost and Awareness Among the Barriers to Screening Mammography

Despite the increased use of screening mammography over the past 30 years, it remains underutilized. It is estimated that only half of eligible women in the U.S. get the exam despite evidence that screening mammography reduces breast cancer mortality. RSNA News Oct. 17, 2022

Health equity sessions—RSNA 2023

View health equity and DEI sessions from RSNA 2023 to advance your understanding of health disparities, health equity and best practices.

Visit our page on diversity, equity and inclusion to find educational resources related to workforce diversity, allyship, gender equity and addressing disparities in imaging and health care.

Explore DEI topics