Day 1: Medical Abuse vs Medical Racism
Day 1: Medical Abuse vs Medical Racism
Thank you for taking this challenge! If this is your first time joining the 10-Day Racial Justice Challenge, welcome. If you are returning after previous engagement with the challenge, nice work! We are glad you are here. From Monday, September 9th through Friday, September 20th, YWCA Spokane will send, those who registered for our challenge, emails each weekday prompting you to take time to learn about racial equity and social justice.
We hope this challenge provides you with an opportunity to better understand concepts related to race, power, privilege, and leadership. Thank you for participating!
Challenge | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10
In recent years, discussions about the intersection of race and healthcare have gained attention, highlighting the urgent need to address disparities and mistreatment within medical systems. Two critical aspects of this issue are medical racism and medical abuse, both of which can profoundly impact patient care and outcomes.
Medical Racism
Medical racism involves racial discrimination and bias within the healthcare system, which can lead to unequal treatment and health outcomes for patients of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. This form of racism can occur in various ways, including biased practices, inequalities in treatment, and inequitable access to quality care. For instance, a journal through the National Library of Medicine shares that studies have shown Black patients are often undertreated for pain compared to white patients, reflecting a deep-seated bias that undermines the quality of care they receive.
Medical Abuse
Medical abuse refers to mistreatment by healthcare professionals, which can be physical, emotional, or psychological. This includes neglect, inappropriate treatment, or disrespectful behavior that puts a patient's well-being at risk. Medical abuse can occur no matter a patient’s race, but can be intensified by systemic issues within the healthcare system.
Serena Williams
One high-profile example that highlights both medical racism and abuse is Serena Williams, the renowned tennis champion. After giving birth in 2017, Williams experienced severe complications, including a pulmonary embolism. Despite presenting clear symptoms, her concerns were initially dismissed by her healthcare providers. Williams, who had a history of blood clots, requested a CT scan to check for potential complications, but her request was dismissed. In an interview with Elle, Williams quotes a nurse who told her, “I think all this medicine is making you talk crazy.”
In the same interview, Williams described how her initial concerns were not taken seriously, even though she was an informed and vocal patient. Williams recounted how she had to advocate fiercely for her own care, emphasizing the frustration and distress she felt when her warnings were overlooked. Williams' experience emphasizes the need for systemic reforms in healthcare, revealing that even privileged patients can face significant issues.
As we move forward, it is important to call attention to inequities experienced in our medical systems so we can ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve, free from bias and mistreatment. Through continued awareness and action, we can work towards a healthcare system that truly values and protects all individuals equally.
If you have...
featuring the after effects of genocide on Native American maternal and infant health.
![Image Of A Grey Clock With Text That Says, "10 Minutes"](https://ywcaspokane.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/10-Minutes.png "Image Of A Grey Clock With Text That Says, "10 Minutes"")
highlighting how Black contributions to medicine weren't recognized or compensated.
of The Tuskegee Experiment.
Additional Resources
Thank You Mission Partners
To learn more about partnering with YWCA Spokane in support of this Racial Justice Challenge, please contact Erica Schreiber, Director of Community Engagement via email ericas@ywcaspokane.org or phone at 509-789-8275.
By: Jazmin Duran
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