G&H What is the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in endoscopy?
JC When looking at gender diversity as well as racial or ethnic diversity, the gastroenterology (GI) community has made some strides; however, we still have quite a way to go. Currently, 18% to 19% of practicing gastroenterologists in the United States are women and only about 13% of fellows in advanced endoscopy fellowship programs are women. According to data on racial diversity of the physician workforce from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), only 9% of academic GI faculty in the United States identify as underrepresented in medicine (UIM). Per the AAMC, UIM refers to racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population. In recent years, a decline in the number of UIM GI fellowship applications has been noted. This shows that the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in GI has significant gaps and leaves the GI community with an opportunity to close these gaps.