Dr. Oz launches initiative to find more Black doctors

Dr. Oz has launched a new initiative calling for more Black doctors. He says there’s a diversity problem in the medical field and it’s affecting Black lives.

The doctor joined “TMZ Live” last week to explain why he launched the #moreBlackdoctors initiative as part of his effort to raise awareness about racial bias in hospitals. He explained how one of his staffers opened his eyes to the Black community’s view of the medical field. Specifically, stating he was embarrassed and alarmed by stats that Black newborns are 3 times more likely to die under the care of white doctors

Oz, who just kicked off the 12th season of his show, says he got goosebumps after learning Black babies taken care of by Black doctors have a higher survival rate than Black babies under the care of White doctors.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S. (PNAS) showed the mortality rate of Black newborns dwindled from 58% to 39% when they’re under the care of Black doctors. But, when it came to white babies, their mortality rate was hardly affected regardless of the doctor’s race.

To tackle the issue, Dr. Oz announced a contest offering a Diversity in Medicine Scholarship.