Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Promoting justice and equity in academic neurology and neuroscience

The American Neurological Association believes that all people—across race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, economic class, religion, national origin and more—deserve respect, empathy, and excellent neurological care. All aspiring and current neurologists deserve an academic and professional environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination so they can thrive in their chosen profession.

Systemic racism, sexism, ableism, and other forces affect access to neurologic care, the generalizability of research, and the professional prospects of aspiring neurologists and neuroscientists. 

DEI Is an Urgent Priority for the ANA

• Neurological outcomes are often worse among socially disadvantaged and racially minoritized populations, in part due to disparities in access to high-quality neurological care.
• There is a shortage of neurologists, and marginalized communities are most affected.
• Patient outcomes are often better when patient and provider share a background.
• Socially disadvantaged and minoritized populations are underrepresented in academic neurology and neuroscience.
• Those same populations are underrepresented in professional neurology societies, including the ANA, and report discrimination or isolation within those organizations.
• We are still uncovering the ways neurological understanding and research have been affected by systemic biases.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen the field, the science, and most importantly, human health.

To properly understand and address neurological health in the future, academic neurology and neuroscience must welcome—and be informed by—all backgrounds and perspectives. For that to happen, academic neurology must become a more diverse and inclusive discipline and confront inequity, systemic discrimination, and unconscious bias. As the principal representative of academic neurologists and neuroscientists in the United States, the ANA is working to increase equity in neurology and neuroscience in multiple ways, including:

• Expanding opportunities for underrepresented academic neurologists to train, network, and otherwise advance their careers.
• Helping ANA members challenge bias and discrimination and improve engagement and trust.
• Addressing implicit and systemic biases within the ANA’s membership and leadership.

This work is led by the ANA’s Inclusion/Diversity/Equity/Anti-Racism/Social Justice (IDEAS) Task Force, established in 2020. Below are a few examples of the work the ANA is currently undertaking. 

DEI Heritage & Awareness Months

• February 2023 | Black History Month 
• March 2023 | Women's History Month 
• May 2023 | Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• June 2023 | LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
• July 2023 | Disability Pride Month
• September 15 - October 15 | Hispanic Heritage Month
• November | Native American Heritage Month