Columbus Business First’s Post

Health Equity and Leadership! In my capacity as an EDI fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, I was given the opportunity to co-facilitate a discussion with the most wonderful Symphony Fletcher about ‘Birthing Justice’. This film explores the vast inequities in maternal care for Black people in the US (and across the world), whilst also providing the perspective of the healthcare professionals and policy makers that are positively transforming realities everyday. We explored a number of different thoughts, questions and experiences that our attendees had to share. The ones that stood out for me were: ✅ Equitable healthcare provision is not a zero sum game. No one loses out if Black people have better experiences. In fact, EVERYONE will get better care. ✅ How do we interrogate the medical curricula and make sure it does not help to perpetuate medical racism? ✅ How do we use our relative privileges and spheres of influence achieve more equitable experiences and outcomes? I couldn’t find a picture of Symphony and I, but please enjoy this picture with Alberto Inzulza Galdames from the HEAL conference 😅

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

If you read any article in its entirety today, let it be this. Uché Blackstock, MD explains in rich and deeply personal detail the history of medical schools in the US, how the Flexnor Report caused the closure of most Black medical schools nearly a century ago, and why we're at such a critical moment in our healthcare system's continuing struggle with deeply engrained racist systems and practices. She writes: "Now, the problems I see are crystal clear. So, too, are some of the solutions. First, White physicians and health-care professionals must acknowledge that systemic racism exists, and that racism is not Black people’s struggle to fight alone. Your Black colleagues are exhausted. Your Black patients are dying. We need you to do your own due diligence to understand how racism operates and affects health outcomes. Second, our health-care institutions must strive to provide structurally competent and culturally centered care to Black communities — care that takes into consideration the social, economic and political context in which people live. These institutions need to be intentional about earning the trust of Black communities, via reparative processes, so that people will be willing to seek care even before they really need it and have the opportunity to form meaningful, healthy relationships with health-care professionals. Institutions also need to implement clinical protocols to track inequities in practice and intervene when necessary — with buy-in from their leadership. Simply put, they must hold themselves accountable." I'm so grateful for Uche's and her sister Oni's leadership and determination. They truly honor their mother's memory. Thank you. https://lnkd.in/eksxwkUm

In 2020, CHCF launched a targeted effort to improve health care, and thus health outcomes, for Black Californians regardless of their income or the type of insurance coverage they have. This approach recognizes the impacts of anti-Black racism on the health of Black Californians across income and socioeconomic class. See our current request for proposals (RFP), which solicits projects that address anti-Black racism in the health care system. CHCF seeks to support five to eight projects that have the potential to accelerate change in delivery system policies and practices in the near term. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $150,000 for a two-year grant period to implement and assess the impact of efforts to improve equitable medical care for Black Californians in public or private clinics, hospitals, and medical practices. Learn more. https://lnkd.in/gvUv_aTu

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

This speaks volumes to the Racial Disparities within the healthcare realm. How can we as leaders, researchers, postgrads, undergrads, etc… close the gap and create well rounded quality care. How do we teach patients how to properly advocate for themselves. I believe that it is ok to get a second, third, fourth sometimes fifth opion within reason when it comes to your health, your life, your choice. How do we promote/educate patients on what questions to ask, how to properly look into medications, join support groups rather its online or in person. How can we successfully, effectively, and efficiently provide/create the change that is needed.

Today marks the beginning of Black Health Equity Advancement Week! According to the Listening to Black Californians study, more than 1 in 4 Black Californians avoid health care due to concerns they will be treated unfairly or with disrespect. Here are some ways you can take control of your health care experience: 🔹 Prepare for your visit by doing your research first. 🔹 Speak up if you feel like your concerns are being dismissed. 🔹 Choose your own providers, and switch if you don’t feel comfortable. 🔹 File a complaint and hold your health care providers accountable for their actions. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dfSawzCb #BHEW24

🟨 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: Despite making up 13% of the US population, Black Americans account for only 5% of physicians. This stark underrepresentation holds significant implications for healthcare access & quality within BIPOC communities. 🟨 Studies reveal that patients tend to trust and connect more with healthcare providers who share their racial or cultural background. The absence of such representation means BIPOC individuals often lack access to healthcare professionals who grasp their unique experiences & cultural perspectives, leading to disparities in care & health outcomes. 🟨 The provision of culturally competent care emerges as a crucial solution to address these disparities & ensure equitable healthcare access for all. Practitioners uphold their oath to do no harm when they acknowledge the importance of cultural competence in delivering effective care to BIPOC patients. 🟨 This entails understanding the intricacies of cultural beliefs, historical experiences & nuances that shape patients' health decisions & treatment preferences. Culturally competent providers are better positioned to establish trust, foster effective communication & customize care plans to cater to the diverse needs of their patients. 🟨 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 & 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘄/ 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁. Addressing the daily realities & challenges faced by BIPOC communities is integral to evolving towards a society where health justice is realized. By championing diversity, equity & inclusion in healthcare & by actively supporting initiatives to enhance the representation of BIPOC providers, we can pave the way for a future where compassionate, respectful & equitable care is accessible to all, regardless of race or background. Together, let's build a healthcare system that serves & empowers every member of our community.

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.

Searching for Data on Black Patients and Long Covid By Jeff Green Pictured: About 1,100 people have been scanned so far in Detroit. Long Covid and the medically forgotten I was intrigued when I was offered a chance to chat with Bishoy Rizkalla, Moderna’s vice president of long Covid. This was partly due to his unusual title, but also because two of my family members have a history with chronic illnesses that are considered very similar to long Covid. If long Covid gets more attention, maybe people with less common, but similar, autoimmune-type illnesses will benefit. An estimated 17.8 million people in the US are living with long Covid, which can cause fatigue, respiratory issues, so-called brain fog and other debilitating issues, Rizkalla says. Of those, about 20% have the most severe form that can take them out of the workforce altogether, he says, which may be costing the economy about $200 billion in lost wages a year. We already know that at the beginning of the pandemic there was a significant disparity between death rates for Black people compared with White people – our reporting showed a death rate three times higher for Black communities. The consensus on whether long Covid will also disproportionately affect people of color is somewhat mixed, because it’s understudied. The best way to get a better sense is to directly involve minority communities, Rizkalla says. So Moderna teamed up with Team Wellness Center, a health-care provider for under-served people in the Detroit area, and People.Health, a health-care tech company, to gather and organize patient data. Phillip Levy, People.Health’s chief medical officer and a researcher at Wayne State University in Detroit, is overseeing the survey thanks to his expertise in mobile delivery of medical care. The study is using a purpose-built mobile CT scanner to look at the lungs of about 4,000 adults this year who have had Covid and feel like the symptoms have persisted. .....continued ***Please click on image in the banner below to access and finish reading this Bloomberg piece. Posted by Larry Cole