The research establishment studying racial disparities in health care has a big problem. It has made a concerted effort to ignore any literature that contradicts the narrative that racial animus underlies the health-care disparities between white and black patients.

As in any field, the more evidence you can cite in favor of your theory, the more acceptance your theory will gain. In medical literature, acceptance of ideas is achieved when other researchers cite the supporting studies for those concepts. In fact, “impact” in the medical literature is judged by frequency of citations.

A most favored hypothesis these days holds that black patients need access to black physicians to receive optimal medical care. This concept is a major motivating force behind the search for greater numbers of blacks to enter the health-care workforce. Unfortunately, the research cited to support it is often disingenuous or, at worst, dishonest.