The Apgar test, which assesses newborns on five metrics including skin color, often results in lower scores for Black infants and other babies of color, potentially leading to unnecessary medical treatments. Experts are calling for changes to the test, arguing that skin tone is a subjective and discriminatory measure that should not be part of a health evaluation.
The American Medical Association is urging doctors to de-emphasize the use of body mass index (BMI) when assessing health and obesity of patients, acknowledging that the measurement has been used for "racist exclusion" and has caused "historical harm." The AMA suggests tracking weight with other factors by measuring waist circumference, skin folds, and resting metabolic health, among other factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure for a total picture of a patient's health.
The American Medical Association has urged doctors to de-emphasize the use of body mass index (BMI) when assessing health and obesity of patients, acknowledging that the measurement has been used for "racist exclusion" and has caused "historical harm." The AMA suggests tracking weight with other factors by measuring waist circumference, skin folds, and resting metabolic health, among other factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure for a total picture of a patient's health.