May 2024

Duke School of Nursing has launched a new resource, Fostering AI Research for Health Equity And Learning Transformation Hub (FAIR HEALTH™), with a dual mission focused on education and research, ultimately aimed at achieving health equity through advancements in AI education and research. This first of its kind initiative is led by Dr. Michael Cary, PhD, RN, Elizabeth C. Clipp Term Chair and Associate Professor and Glenn Setliff, Interim Vice Dean Information Technology & Facilities.

“The focus is on creating and applying AI systems in a manner that promotes fairness, reduces biases, and ensures that the benefits of AI are shared broadly across different populations,” said Dr. Cary. “This pioneering initiative is set to revolutionize how health professionals are educated and how healthcare research is conducted.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a multi-state study showing one in every 350 non-Hispanic Black babies has sickle cell disease (SCD) and almost two-thirds of these babies live in disadvantaged areas.  

The study, led by Duke School of Nursing Assistant Professor Mariam Kayle, PhD, and co-authored by Wei Pan, PhD, and Carri Polick, PhD, was conducted in collaboration with the Duke University School of Medicine, the N.C. DHHS, Division of Public Health, the CDC, and collaborators from 10 other states.  

SCD is an inherited blood disorder with both premature mortality and significant morbidity primarily affecting Black or African American U.S. communities. These high rates of morbidity are compounded by existing health inequities and structural racism, with social determinants of health further contributing to poor outcomes amongst people living with SCD.

In March, Duke School of Nursing PhD students joined Professor and Interim Dean Michael V. Relf, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, and hundreds of other students and nursing colleagues at the two-day 2024 AACN Student Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.

The students engaged in didactic program sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing’s role in professional advocacy. Click "Read more" to see the full story and read reflections on nursing policy from the students upon returning home.

In April, the Duke School of Nursing served as the first sole nursing school to co-host the three-day 2024 Social Mission Alliance National Conference held at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham. Healthcare leaders around the country gathered to trade ideas on a range of health equity topics, toured community health sites in Durham, and gained perspectives from key guest speakers, including NASEM President Victor Dzau, N.C. DHHS Sec. Kody Kinsley, and  Trinity College Distinguished Professor Davarian L. Baldwin. Learn more about the current and historical work of Social Mission Alliance, a joint activity of the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity and George Washington University.

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