Light skin tones dominate preclinical dermatology images, dark/black tones underrepresented

A cross-sectional audit of 507 clinical images from UCSD preclinical dermatology/rheumatology materials found light/white skin in 60%, medium/brown in 29%, and dark/black in only 11% (χ²=186.26, p<0.001), with underrepresentation across all disease categories. Findings highlight…

• Cross-sectional curricular audit of 507 clinical images using the Massey-Martin Skin Color Scale, categorized as light/white, medium/brown, or dark/black.
• Distribution significantly deviated from equal representation (χ²=186.26, p<0.001); dark/black skin tones underrepresented across all disease categories in subgroup analysis.
• Single-center study at one US medical school; external validity and generalizability to other institutions or visual media not assessed.

RadPigeon summaries are original and for information only. They are not clinical advice.