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Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms (CERCA)

The objective of CERCA is to promote a healthier and more just healthcare landscape in NYC by convening stakeholders across public health, health systems, clinical research, health informatics, and social sciences to end race adjustment, monitor the impact on racial health inequities, and engage patients whose care was negatively impacted by it.

This report captures the theoretical frameworks and background research related to race modifiers in clinical algorithms, analytic approaches for prospective assessment and redress of race-adjusted algorithms, early feedback on barriers and facilitators from our health systems stakeholders, and future directions for ending racism in clinical algorithms in New York City and beyond.

Read the Inaugural CERCA Report (PDF).

The NYC Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms (CERCA) was formed to end the inclusion of race adjustment in clinical algorithms. Clinicians use clinical algorithms to guide their decision-making in the medical care of patients. Clinical algorithms using race norming, or race adjustment, often negatively impact the treatment and care for people of color.

The 12 health system members of CERCA have pledged to end race adjustment in one of three race-based clinical algorithms. Below are descriptions and evaluation recommendations to assess the impact of removing race from each clinical algorithm:

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (PDF)
Pulmonary function tests (PDF)
Vaginal birth after cesarian (PDF)

These members have also agreed to develop an evaluation plan to assess racial health inequities related to the algorithms and a patient engagement plan to avoid delays in care for patients impacted by race adjustment.