My experience seeking care during the pandemic opened my eyes to some of the ways Black women can better advocate for themselves to get the medical attention they need during this pandemic. This advice will really cater to concerned people who are in the quasi, not-quite-ER-serious- but-there’s-something-wrong range.
Read MoreI finally recognized that the negative medical experiences and obstetrical complications which my own sisters had reported to me over the years were not isolated events of racial discrimination, but part of a widespread pattern of devaluation of Black women.
Read MoreMonday morning, I dropped my partner off at work and took the 40 minute drive to the high risk ultrasound facility the nurses scheduled me to visit. I arrived 20 minutes early as suggested, only to be told at check-in that I needed prior authorization—I was distraught. I called my gynecologist’s office and they contacted the insurance company.
Read MoreDue to the opioid epidemic in America, sickle cell patients are prejudged for abusing opioid pain medicine during sickle cell crisis, making that their main reason for coming to the ED. To add on to this judgment, many physicians believe that Black women can tolerate higher pain levels than anyone else, therefore, decreasing the need for medical attention.
Read MoreI challenge us to think beyond our personal experiences. I pursued a career in public health for many reasons, with one of them being the belief that good health is a fundamental right for all persons. I am a firm believer in autonomy and in people being able to make their own decisions. I also believe that there are always instances that will challenge these notions, and population health is one of those.
Read More“P R E G N A N T” Appeared in the little box and I was in disbelief. I immediately knew I didn’t want it, and as someone who for years wanted a village of kids to sprout from my womb, I struggled to process the decision that lay ahead for me.
Read MoreIn 2013, I was a middle school teacher in Baltimore. My 7th grade scholars and I read A Long Walk to Water, which includes the journey of Nya, a girl the same age as my Baltimore City Scholars, and the distance she traveled to bring water to her village. Last month, I was reminded of that book while trying to schedule a dentist appointment.
Read MoreSomehow, I felt like she just mentally checked off the ‘typical black girl’ box in her arrogant head. Somehow, I validated some tally of statistics she was desperately trying to verify from her medical school research.
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