AAN Position: Systemic Racism and Inequities in Society

June 4, 2020

Dear Members,

Earlier today, the American Academy of Neurology Board of Directors unanimously approved the following Position Statement on Systemic Racism and Inequities in Society:

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) condemns racism and deplores the impact that historic, deeply rooted, and systemic inequities have on our members, our patients, the communities we serve, and our nation.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a disproportionate burden of illness and death on communities of color. This unacceptable reality is the result of centuries of systemic inequities in our society that have infected the health care system of which we are all a part.

In the midst of this global crisis, we have seen violent deaths that also compel us to confront the legacy of race and racism in our society. George Floyd was an unarmed black man publicly killed on the street while in police custody. Breonna Taylor was an unarmed black woman killed in her own home after being shot at least eight times by police. Ahmaud Arbery was an unarmed black man who was jogging when he was chased, confronted, shot, and killed by two white men with a shotgun. These three shocking and senseless killings are part of a long legacy of society devaluing the lives of men, women, and children of color.

The AAN’s Vision is to be indispensable to its members; our Mission is to promote the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care and enhance member career satisfaction. We cannot be indispensable if we remain silent in the face of an issue that so profoundly impacts so many of our members. We cannot promote the best care for our patients or enhance the careers of our members if we ignore the pervasive inequities that are often insurmountable barriers to both. In the face of these historic and systemic issues, it is not enough to not be a racist organization. We must speak out and lead in order to ensure change. To achieve our Vision and Mission, we must be an anti-racist organization.

The AAN commits to enact sustained change for our members and patients. In this historic moment, we are resolved to pursue bold action beyond rhetoric and stand with the communities we serve to eliminate inequities that are antithetical to our values and the pursuit of our Vision and Mission.

The AAN Board of Directors also approved the creation of an AAN Special Commission to recommend specific actions by July 15, 2020, to implement the position statement throughout the organization. The recommendations of the Special Commission will be reviewed by the AAN’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Joint Coordinating Council and provided to the AAN Board of Directors.

Many have contributed to the AAN’s efforts for equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are now calling on all members to take action to uphold our AAN core values of diversity and equity. Now more than ever, we are committed to lasting change.

Sincerely,

James C. Stevens, MD, FAAN
President, American Academy of Neurology

Jeffrey C. McClean, II, MD, FAAN
Chair, AAN Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Joint Coordinating Council

Mary E. Post, MBA, CAE
Chief Executive Officer, American Academy of Neurology