The renowned UCLA medical school is reportedly embedding climate activism into its curriculum, according to leaked documents.
UCLA’s medical school is under scrutiny for allegedly incorporating left-wing ideology and climate activism into its curriculum. This claim arises from a collection of leaked class assignments, suggesting a strong political undercurrent in the institute’s educational approach.
The leaked documents, first shared with Fox News Digital, suggest that UCLA medical students are being encouraged to become climate activists. These documents were submitted to the medical transparency group, Do No Harm, by an anonymous student currently enrolled in the program.
The documents indicate a required course for first-year students called “Structural Racism and Health Equity” (SRHE). According to the assignments, the course seems to advocate far-left views, such as climate change protests and the abolition of police and prisons.
The course also delves into the intersection of race, environment, and health equity. Assignments include articles from climate advocacy groups and academic papers promoting prison abolition.
An anonymous student from the program stated that this ideology is not restricted to the SRHE course but permeates throughout the entire curriculum. The student also mentioned that the school had quickly adopted an “antiracist” ideology during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the George Floyd protests in 2020.
According to the same student, contrary perspectives are not encouraged within the curriculum. Those who express dissenting views are reportedly singled out by peers. Thus, the educational environment seems to suppress debate and diversity of thought.
The documents also showcase a plethora of climate activism opportunities for students. These include joining far-left physician activist groups, attending “big oil resistance” events, and participating in research on “environmental injustices of the prison industrial complex.”
Critics, including Stanley Goldfarb, the CEO of Do No Harm, argue that the school’s approach is detrimental to 21st-century medical education. They contend that the focus should be on improving patient health rather than advocating for political activism.
As of now, UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine has not commented on the controversy.
This incident brings to light the increasing intersection of politics and education. It raises questions about the appropriate boundaries between education and activism, and the impact of such practices on future medical professionals.
As the medical field continues to evolve, so too does its education. The inclusion of social and environmental issues in the curriculum reflects a shift towards a more holistic understanding of health and medicine. However, the controversy at UCLA underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced and inclusive approach.
