Racism in Healthcare in the U.S.
By: Nia On Air
Tags: Racism, Discrimination, People Of Color, Healthcare, Journal

An issue that I have wanted to speak on for years. A silent problem that people of color deal with, affecting their care. Now that health care is trending, the time is now. We have openly talked about police brutality for months, rightfully so. However, during the middle of a pandemic, health care officials are faced with decisions. Would you trust your provider to make the best decision for you? Speaking from the perspective of a black woman who has worked in health care, along with receiving care, my opinions are from experience. While I was pregnant with my youngest son back in 2018, I ended up with heart palpations towards the end of my second trimester.

At the time, I was living in the state of Wyoming. My doctors were extremely racist. “Why not go to another facility?” you ask. Well, this was the only hospital in town. The other hospital was in a Sundown Town. If you aren’t aware of what a Sundown Town is, please check out my article or podcast touching on these topics. To add insult to injury, this was my only option.

A doctor initially causes pain just because he did not want to hear my concerns. I developed a terrible toothache during my second trimester. I went to see a dentist at Davis Dental that I thought would go pretty easy. However, his suggestion was immediately pulling my teeth without even addressing the problem. I objected because that is not at all what I came to get done to my tooth. That same day I scheduled with another provider. My second opinion provided debunked Davis Dental diagnosis on having my teeth removed. Instead, it was a simple fix. A simple filling was all that was needed. I could go on an one with injustice I have received the patient and the co-worker.

Have you experienced racism or discrimination while either being a receiver of health care services or an employee? We all know that if you work in the field, there are groups that stick together. The doctors mainly stay with each other, the gangs of health care. Do you have any ideas that we could team up to take a chance? America is for all those who come seeking equality. Most importantly, never forgetting black and brown women who judged.

According to BBC NEWS statistics support Maternal death rates in the UK, 2014 to 2016 states: 40 per 100,000 pregnancies of black women died from “complications.” Studies show sixteen per 100,000 mixed race women have experienced maternal death. 8 per 100,000 white women died during or up to six weeks after pregnancy. The history of making people of the color matter last now needs to be addressed. Have you experienced any discrimination? Rather, being uncomfortable with blatantly disrespectful behavior. We need to start bringing this issue more to the forefront. Can you share a story that has impacted your health by the color of your skin, LGBTQ+ community, or just being a woman neglected? Like most, I am a firm believer that you can be in tune with your body. You know the feeling you get when you believe something does not seem right within mental or physical.

Lastly, speak up on a silent but deadly issue. Educate ourselves and each other on racism in health care. During, the middle of a pandemic that has not been taking seriously. A pandemic, that has recently ignored be mindful of your health care professional. They come with smiles but the motives behind it for people of color, LGBTQ+, and anyone else in some cases can be deadly if you are dealing with a racist provider. Let me know your thoughts and experiences.

REFERENCE:

Why are black mothers at more risk of dying?

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-47115305

Black Americans see a health-care system infected by racism, new poll shows

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/10/black-americans-see-health-care-system-infected-racism-new-poll-shows/