A new Skin of Color program at Stanford Medicine aims to address racial disparities in dermatological care and research. Dr. Leandra Barnes (above), a Stanford Health Care dermatologist, is spearheading the initiative to provide culturally sensitive treatment for diverse skin conditions while advancing research and advocacy.
The program focuses on four key areas: culturally competent care, research on underinvestigated conditions affecting minority populations, education for medical professionals, and community outreach. Dr. Barnes, who dedicates half of her patient visits to the program, emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for patients of various ethnic backgrounds.
“We deal with everything from life-threatening issues such as skin cancer and systemic autoimmune conditions to things that affect patients’ physical comfort, self-perception and sense of belonging,” Barnes said.
The initiative addresses the lack of diversity in dermatology, where only about 3% of U.S. dermatologists are Black and 4% are Hispanic. This disparity often leads to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment for people of color.
Barnes hopes the program will encourage people to seek dermatological care and change perceptions about who the field serves. The effort also aims to advocate against harmful policies, such as step therapy, which can disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.
See “Talking about the need for Stanford Medicine’s new Skin of Color program” (July 18, 2024)
