A Harvard Medical School study shows that removing race from lung function tests changes disease severity categorization.

More Black individuals are classified as having advanced lung disease without race adjustments.

Conversely, more white and Hispanic individuals are categorized as having less severe lung conditions.

The findings suggest that race adjustments may have previously downplayed disease severity in Black patients.

Implications include changes in diagnoses, disability compensation, job eligibility, and treatment access.

The study estimates millions could see different disease severity classifications, impacting their healthcare and benefits.

The results highlight the need to abandon race-based medical testing to ensure accurate and equitable healthcare.