WeTrials’ Post

“I believe our mother practiced what is now known as structurally competent and culturally responsive care, in which the entire complex nature of a patient’s background and the social context in which they live, work, love and pray is considered during evaluation. And people loved her for it. She wasn’t just taking care of patients. She was tending to her neighbors… Although I always want to celebrate my mother’s achievements, I would be doing her memory a disservice if I were to portray her story only as one of exceptionalism, of the plucky young Black woman from humble beginnings who through grit and determination rose to success. To truly pay tribute to her, I know I must situate her story within the broader context of the historical barriers that Black people in the United States have faced entering the medical field… A new study estimat(ed) that if the majority of Black medical schools had been allowed to remain open after the Flexner Report’s publication, and if they had continued training Black doctors to this day, they would have educated roughly 25,000 to 35,000 people. In essence, tens of thousands of future Black physicians had disappeared. I remember sobbing as I absorbed the magnitude of those numbers…. In 1900, 1.3 percent of U.S. physicians were Black, when Black people made up 11.6 percent of the population. Today, the number of Black physicians remains stubbornly low, with only 5.7 percent of all U.S. physicians identifying as Black — although Black people make up 13.6 percent of the population… What is perhaps most shocking about racial health inequities is that these outcomes often persist across socioeconomic strata and levels of formal education. Even with my two Harvard degrees, I have a pregnancy-related mortality rate two to four times that of a White woman who never finished high school.
 As the saying goes: If you’re not furious about this, you’re not paying attention.” This is an incredible article. Please read it— the author outlines solutions. We must— all of us— pay attention. I can’t wait to read Uché Blackstock, MD ‘s whole book, Legacy. #health #wealth #community #highereducation #racism #RealCollege

https://lnkd.in/ghKuv_yT - TOWN HALL VIDEO. Black Americans' Health and Healthcare Experiences: Understanding the Past and Present to Create a More Equitable Future. Historically and presently, Black Americans endure disproportionately worse health outcomes and discrimination in healthcare. First, I will present data (including a nationally representative sample) that assesses the influence of the quality of healthcare experiences on medical trust and early COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Black Americans. Next, this presentation deeply examines the specific context and experiences in physician-Black patient interactions that may erode medical trust. This is done in a qualitative study conducted with Black American women with breast cancer, a group with repeated exposure to the medical community. Also, I will discuss research that tests how learning about the stories of Black American experiences in healthcare can increase White American perspective-taking. Implications for how medical institutions can build trust with the Black community by acknowledging and addressing injustice in the healthcare system will be discussed. Dr. Kimberly J. Martin is a University of California President's Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UC San Francisco. She earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UCLA and her B.A. in Psychology, with honors and high distinction, from UC Berkeley. Her research centers on the impact of inequity and the importance of history to current experiences, perceptions & mental/physical health outcomes of minoritized people. Specifically, much of her research looks at the experiences of Black Americans in the healthcare system. It tests how to improve outcomes for Black Americans by increasing the acknowledgment of and support for addressing racism. CAPS/DPS/PRC Town Hall. The CAPS Developmental Core hosts this presentation. Town Hall Chair: Parya Saberi, PharmD

Today, I am highlighting: Herbert Nickens, MD, was the first Director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He set the foundation for promoting improved health among racial and ethnic minority populations across the country. He left the HHS, and moved to the AAMC, where he was the founding Vice President of the AAMC Division of Community and Minority Programs, now known as Diversity Policy and Programs. He led the AAMC's Project 2000 by 3000. which the AAMC launched in 1991 to achieve the goal of enrolling 3,000 students from underrepresented minority groups in U.S. medical schools annually by the year 2000. He also developed a program to mentor and promote the careers of minority academic physicians. For further information on Herbert W. Nickens, MD, click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/gSrHrFSW Join me in attending the 2024 Black Parkinson’s Disease Summit: https://lnkd.in/gPxWW5dg #parkinsonsdisease #yopd #Parkinsonsresources #Parkinsonsawareness  #Neurology  #brainhealth  #health  #healthandwellness  #wellness  #wpc #Parkinsons #BlackwithPD #AfricanAmericanwithPD #clinicaltrials  #pdmovers #parkinsonresearch #blackpd #100blackmen #100blackwomen #blacksororities #blackfraternities #naacp #urbanleague #rainbowpush #blackcaucus #BlackExcellence #SIG-BlackDiaspora #AfricanAmericanwithPD #underservedcommunities #underengaged #PDawareness #BlackwithPD #AfricanAmericanwithPD

When examining your organization's culture and readiness to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS), it is important to not only examine how you think you are doing but also how your patient population thinks you are doing. This insightful research into the experiences of Black patients in an emergency department is essential reading for those who want to understand the Black person's experience with healthcare. https://okt.to/bYswlo

This is the article you need to read today. After you finish go and buy Uché Blackstock, MD new book LEGACY, which just released today. #healthequity #blackdoctors #representation

🌟 Unraveling the Tapestry of Health Equity: The Nexus of Representation and Life Expectancy 🌍 I wanted to share the insightful interview that resonated with me, that was shared on our morning meting today. After immersing myself in the team's reflections and the thought-provoking insights from Michael Dill at @AAMCtoday, I found my thoughts gravitating towards health equity and the intricate dance of social determinants of health. Notably, a recent conversation with a former co-worker underscored the prevalent lack of diversity in healthcare field hiring. This dual exploration sets the stage for a vital dialogue on the pivotal role representation plays in shaping healthcare outcomes. The key revelation: a 10% surge in Black primary care physicians corresponds to a noteworthy one-month increase in life expectancy for Blacks. 🩺✨ This disclosure becomes the cornerstone of an essential dialogue about health equity, social determinants, and the complex factors influencing our well-being. Key points from the interview that left me pondering... Diversity's Ripple Effect: A diverse healthcare workforce isn't just about representation; it acts as a beacon for improved access and healthcare quality, particularly in historically underserved communities. Barriers at the Crossroads: While progress is underway, barriers persist. A closer look reveals the need for systemic changes, beginning with educational reforms to dismantle entry barriers into the medical field. Beyond Numbers: It's more than just statistics; it's about fostering inclusivity and understanding the nuances contributing to health disparities. Each percentage increase in representation is a significant step towards a more equitable healthcare landscape. As I draw parallels between these discussions, it's evident that diversity isn't merely a buzzword; it's a critical factor shaping the future of healthcare. Whether in primary care, infectious disease, or research — representation matters. So, the next question beckons: what can we do to cultivate inclusivity in healthcare against the backdrop of health equity and social determinants? 🗣️💙 #HealthEquityDiscussion #DiversityInMedicine #InclusiveHealthcare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth https://lnkd.in/eG8pVQpP

On this Maternal Health Awareness Day I'm reflecting on the man-made crisis we are facing. The racist, sexist, and classist Flexner report not only caused the closure of medical schools educating Black physicians but also mandated hospital birth and nearly abolished midwifery in this country. We are all wringing our hands over the complexities of reaching health equity, while our ancestors are the ones who put the current system in place that still benefits those in power. Guess what? We can put policies in place to undo the disparities, just like those rich white men did back in at the beginning of the 20th century. Five things we could do right now to make reparations for the Flexner Report: 1. Let midwives be regulated free of physician oversight and control 2. Reimburse midwives at the same rate as physicians for the same work 3. Include midwives as voting members of hospital medical staffs 4. Invest in freestanding birth centers 5. Pay people from marginalized groups to go to school for nursing, midwifery, and medicine. There are decades of evidence that support these measures, yet many states are failing to undo the damage of the Flexner Report. When proven strategies like midwifery care, group prenatal care, and birth centers are adequately incentivized, we will see results.

So much of our history is sill being uncovered and discussed. The inequity in healthcare and lack of Black medical doctors are directly related!! And further, this is why our work at E3 Management (Educate, Empower, and Elevate) on the Good Jobs Challenge to create 1000 roles for traditionally marginalized communities in our region’s healthcare system, is so important for the Black and Brown families we advocate for everyday. It’s all related and connected!! #Systemicracism is a master plan that has to be dismantled piece by piece.