Bruce Ovbiagele, MD, MSc, FAAN, University of California, San Francisco, CA, discusses current diversity issues in the neurological landscape, such as representation by race and ethnicity. Compared to the US general population, Black, African American, Hispanic, and Latino people are underrepresented in the population of neurologists. Dr Ovbiagele emphasizes the importance of diversity within the neurology field. Empiric evidence has shown that diversity improves creativity, outcomes, and even costs. Additionally, it is known that people of African American extraction and Hispanic/Latino populations disproportionately experience neurological diseases. As the US becomes less non-Hispanic White, the burden of neurological diseases and disparities will increase. Therefore, strategies to boost diversity among neurologists are critical. The representation of women in neurology is an added concern, in particular in leadership levels. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Annual Meeting.
