Why is diversity in medicine important?

Research on diversity in medicine

So, what are the stats on this exactly? According to this 2018 study: Representations of race and skin tone in medical textbook imagery - in medical textbooks which are assigned to top US medical schools, only 5% of anatomy images show people of color/dark skin.

“While the textbooks approximate the racial distribution of the U.S. population - 62.5% White, 20.4% Black, and 17.0% Person of Color - the skin tones represented - 74.5% light, 21% medium, and 4.5% dark - overrepresent light skin tone and underrepresent dark skin tone. There is also an absence of skin tone diversity at the chapter and topic level. Even though medical texts often have overall proportional racial representation this is not the case for skin tone. Furthermore, racial minorities are still often absent at the topic level. These omissions may provide one route through which bias enters medical treatment.”

Simply put, there are gaps in representation that actually make a difference: skin tone is a clinically relevant feature, especially in diagnosing conditions such as rashes, infections, or cyanosis. The systematic omission of dark skin could lead to unequal diagnostic training, and thus diagnostic delays or inaccuracies in patients of color, perpetuating racial bias in medical training and practice.

The takeaway: There is an urgent need for more inclusive and diverse skin tone representation in medical textbooks to reflect the actual population and promote equitable medical education, diagnostic training and care for both lighter and darker skin tones.

History of medical illustration: Why so white?

To understand why diversity in medical illustrations is lacking, we need to take a quick look back in time. Medical illustration has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, long before efficient means of transportation ever existed. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Andreas Vesalius laid the groundwork for anatomical study during the Renaissance, sketching from the only models they had available in their vicinity: European male cadavers.

At the time, it made sense since they were working with what was accessible. But what began as a practical limitation eventually became a norm. The white, male, lean body became the default model for human anatomy, and that standard has persisted into the 21st century.

But here’s the issue: we’re no longer living in the Renaissance, we’re more connected than ever, and we are more diverse than ever. We now have access to medical data and imaging across all ethnicities, body types, and genders. So the question is: Why hasn't representation evolved with science?

Why representation in medical illustrations matters

You might be asking, “Why does it matter what skin color is shown? It’s just skin. The internal organs are the same, no?” Well, yes and no. The skin is the largest organ of the human body, so the color of the skin is enough of a difference to have significant clinical consequences.

Let’s take the obvious example here - dermatological conditions. Many skin conditions look dramatically different depending on a patient’s skin tone. Psoriasis, eczema, Lyme disease rashes, or even cyanosis (that can be a serious sign of many systemic diseases and conditions) present differently on darker skin. Yet, most medical textbooks illustrate these conditions only on light skin.

This gap in representation doesn’t only affect diagnosis though. It also affects choice of treatment, medical trust, and patient outcomes. Medical students who aren’t trained to recognize conditions on all skin tones are more likely to misdiagnose or delay treatment in patients of color.

And this problem is not just limited to skin conditions. It also affects how we diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, injuries, or even recognize symptoms of pain. This is because there are some important differences in how different genders, ethnicities or body types present with certain systemic diseases, how they handle pain, or how they respond to treatment.

The concept of Symbolic Annihilation

Representation in medicine does not only teach how to treat and diagnose different races, ethnicities and body types – it also shapes identity and self-perception. When textbooks and educational materials consistently center the white, lean, male body, they send a subtle but powerful message: this is the only body that matters. This is the standard.

This is a form of what sociologists call symbolic annihilation—the idea that the absence of people like you in media and education erases your presence and importance in society. For students of color, women, plus-size individuals, or people with disabilities, the lack of visual inclusion can make it harder to imagine themselves as future doctors, researchers, or leaders in medicine.

Signs of progress: Diversity in medical education today

The good news is—change is happening. In 2021, a now-iconic image by Nigerian medical student Chidiebere Ibe of a Black pregnant woman in a medical illustration went viral. It wasn’t revolutionary in complexity—it was revolutionary because it simply existed. For many, it was the first time seeing a medical illustration of a person in color, let alone a pregnant one.

This moment sparked global conversations around diversity in medical imagery. More medical illustrators and organizations are prioritizing inclusive visuals that reflect the diversity of real patients.

One of the voices leading this change is @joelbervell on TikTok, who educates hundreds of thousands of viewers on racial bias in medicine and how inclusive education can save lives. Even as a student, his impact is clear with many doctors saying that they’re learning valuable insights from him every day. His advocacy is part of a growing wave of students and professionals pushing for a change.

At Kenhub, we are proud to contribute to this movement. We are the first free online anatomy atlas to feature illustrations that include different skin tones, genders, ethnicities and body types. Because inclusive education doesn’t just make students feel seen—it makes them better, more empathetic clinicians.

What Comes Next?

While progress is being made, we still have a long way to go. Medical education must commit to consistent, widespread change—not just one-off illustrations or token examples. This includes revising textbooks, retraining educators, and updating curricula to include diversity as a clinical necessity, not just a social talking point.

We’re eager to continue this work that we started and hope to encourage other platforms, textbooks, and educational institutions to do the same.

If we want healthcare to be equitable, then medical education must reflect the full spectrum of humanity.

Why diversity improves medicine

Representation in medical illustrations isn't just about fairness or visibility—it's about quality of care. Every patient deserves to be accurately diagnosed and treated, regardless of how they look. And every student deserves to see themselves reflected in the materials they learn from.

It’s time to have more serious discussions about this, not just performative virtue signaling and to start moving beyond the outdated default. Because diversity is not just a buzzword to make a company seem progressive —it’s essential for the best patient care we can provide.

If you're a student or educator looking for anatomy resources that represent real-world diversity, feel free to explore our first physical book – Kenhub Anatomy Atlas. And if you’re passionate about reshaping the future of medicine, join the conversation. Share this article, ask questions, and challenge the norms.

Because when we see everyone, we can care for everyone.