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Where Are the Black Neurologists? America’s Representation Gap in Neurology

Writer: Brendon Tandoh
Brendon Tandoh
Aug 16
3 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

By Brendon Tandoh

B.S. Neuroscience (Pre-Med) | Class of 2028 | Ohio Wesleyan University



Neurology is important in today’s American society and there are many reasons why. In today’s society rates of Alzheimer’s disease, brain cancer, and other neurological diseases are rising. It is also important for one to understand what Neurology is. Neurology is the branch of medicine where the diagnosis and treatment of all categories and conditions of the nervous system are addressed and cared for. The nervous system has two components that are major. One being the Central Nervous System (CNS); second being the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The Central Nervous (CNS) compromises the brain and spinal cord, serving as the primary command center for processing data. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) contains all the nerves branching out from the spine and brain to connect the central core to your limbs, skin, and internal organs.


Photo by Peter Burdon via Unsplash, 2023.
Photo by Peter Burdon via Unsplash, 2023.

Today, Black Americans make up about 13% of the U.S. population, but they remain strongly underrepresented in the medical field. The American Academy of Neurology has specifically identified Black people as one of the groups underrepresented in neurology. The disparities in racial ethnicities stands at approximately a little over 3% Black or African American, Asian over 20%, Hispanic or Latino over 5%, and other races 3%. There are several reasons why this gap exists, including historical discrimination, limited access to educational opportunities, financial barriers, and a lack of representation and mentorship. Minorities struggle in America when it comes to going to college, and many African American college students struggle to pay for tuition and other educational expenses. The process of becoming a neurologist takes a large amount of financial support, either from family or through taking out student loans. Black Americans are not all supported equally when it comes to having access to the best schools or living in the best neighborhoods, leading to fewer opportunities and fewer financial resources to help students better prepare for college or receive guidance about going to college.

Photo by Accuray via Unsplash, 2022.
Photo by Accuray via Unsplash, 2022.

As we look back, the historical exclusion of black students from medical education tails significant importance on the underlying issues and why it is important for more Black Americans to become Neurologists. The Flexner Report of 1910 contributed to the closure and marginalization of several medical schools that trained Black physicians. This significantly disrupted the pipeline of Black doctors in the United States. The American Medical Association notes that this historical disruption is estimated to have resulted in 30,000–35,000 fewer Black physicians in the country. Because becoming a neurologist requires medical school followed by residency training, problems early in the medical education pipeline can continue to affect the number of Black neurologists for generations later.

Photo by Patrick Amofah via Unsplash, 2023.
Photo by Patrick Amofah via Unsplash, 2023.

The American Medical Association has emphasized the importance of pathway programs, mentorship, and creating supportive educational environments to increase diversity in medicine. Increasing the number of Black neurologists could therefore help create a stronger pipeline for future students. Other significant moments throughout history took course and disrupted the growth of black neurologists in America. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, prominent white physicians pushed false biological narratives, claiming that black people had “less developed brains” and would therefore not suffer the same complex neurological symptoms as white patients. As false premises continued to mount, this led academic advisors to use it as a weapon to discourage black students from pursuing neuroscience. 

It is key that black representation grows in Neurology because diversity can improve communication, trust, and access to care. Research discussed by the American Medical Association suggests that racial concordance between physicians and patients can improve communication and some health outcomes. What is clear: The low number of Black neurologists is not caused by a lack of ability or interest, it reflects historical and continuing barriers within the medical education system. Expanding mentorship, financial support, educational opportunities, and pathways into medicine can help create a more diverse neurology workforce and improve health care for underserved communities. 


Photo by WrongTog via Unsplash.
Photo by WrongTog via Unsplash.


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