Visualizing Equity: Addressing Racial and Cultural Representation in Anatomy Education and Biomedical Imagery
摘要
This chapter investigates the critical role of biomedical visualization in shaping our understanding of human anatomy and the systemic inequities embedded within this practice, particularly as they relate to colonial histories. It traces the historical genealogy of medical visualization, revealing how colonial power dynamics have marginalized diverse bodies and reinforced racial hierarchies in healthcare. By analyzing anatomical representations from the Renaissance to contemporary practices, the chapter highlights the political nature of medical imagery and its implications for medical education and practice. It addresses the urgent need for decolonization in health sciences, advocating for curricula that embrace cultural diversity and challenge a number of established norms. Furthermore, it explores technological interventions, such as three-dimensional printing (3Dp) and artificial intelligence (AI), as transformative tools for creating inclusive anatomical models that reflect the diversity of global populations. The chapter concludes with practical recommendations for institutional change, emphasizing collaborative methodologies to rectify historical erasures and promote equitable representation in medical visualization. Through this comprehensive examination, the chapter aims to foster a more inclusive approach to medical education that recognizes and values the complexities of human anatomy across different cultures and identities.