Addressing the Misdiagnosis of Melanoma in Black Men

WHEREAS, Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, is diagnosed at advanced stages in Black individuals more frequently than in their white counterparts, leading to significantly lower survival rates, with Black patients having a five-year melanoma survival rate of only 70% compared to 92% for white patients, highlighting a critical disparity in diagnosis and treatment outcomes; and 

WHEREAS, Previous studies have shown that women have higher melanoma survival rates than men, and Black men have a 26% higher rate of death than white men, which may be due to later stages of diagnosis; and 

WHEREAS, The lack of diverse representation in medical education materials contributes to the misdiagnosis of melanoma in Black individuals, as medical textbooks predominantly feature images of melanoma on light or white skin, inadequately preparing healthcare professionals to recognize skin cancer in people of color; and 

WHEREAS, Research demonstrates a concerning trend of physicians being significantly more likely to misdiagnose melanoma in Black patients compared to white patients; and 

WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) urges the federal government to increase funding for health promotion, disease prevention, early diagnosis and management of chronic conditions. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP will advocate for comprehensive reform in medical education to include diverse representations of skin conditions across all skin colors and tones, helping to ensure that future healthcare professionals are adequately trained to diagnose and treat melanoma in Black individuals. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will call on healthcare institutions to implement continuing education programs focused on reducing racial disparities in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the importance of early detection and culturally competent care for Black men, in particular. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will urge medical textbook publishers, accreditation bodies, and healthcare institutions to collaborate in integrating images and case studies that reflect the diversity of patients, particularly focusing on skin conditions in darker skin colors and tones to bridge the gap in medical education and improve health outcomes for Black men. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP will commit to raising awareness about the risks of melanoma in Black men, advocating for equitable access to dermatological care, and supporting research initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the factors contributing to the misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of melanoma in this population, and will emphasize the need for systemic changes in medical education and healthcare practices to ensure accurate diagnoses and equitable treatment for melanoma in Black men, supported by findings from ConsumerSafety.org and The Skin Cancer Foundation.