A few months ago, I saw a post on a friend’s page that spoke about the low mortality rate of COVID19. I noticed a few others chiming in accordingly
in terms of the rate. I decided to post (one of the rare things I do because I try my best to not make comments on any of my friends’ pages relating to things that may cause conflict). However, in this instance, I had to mention the CDC noted that the COVID19 mortality among Black, Latino and Indigienous Americans was significantly higher (as of 11/2020, it 2.7 times for white Americans).
I made this comment for 3 very specific reasons (none that I discussed but I do here).
One, even though collectively the mortality may be lower but for a few specific demographics (including the one I belong), the impact is devastating. So, it’s difficulty to say ‘It’s not that bad’ when as a Black person “IT IS that bad”.
Two, a large swath of People of Color work in occupations that don’t give them the ability to work from home. As such, creating a greater chance of exposure to a virus which is disproportionately hurting them more.
Three, as a country, we often forget we have a long, complicated, and, in some instances, barbaric history of medicine and Black People. We often over look the marvels of Gynecological medicine was based on experimental procedures practiced on Black Female Slaves (without anesthesia and their consent). The notorious Tuskegee experiences lasted almost 40 years and well into the 1970s. As such, you can imagine a situation where people of color (and especially Black People) have developed a distrust of the medical providers and the medical community in general.
Which brings me to Medical Providers who are minorities.
I recently asked 3 close friends who attended and were trained at 3 of the nation’s finest institutes which also happened to be Historically Black Universities (Norfolk State University School of Nursing, Morehouse School of Medicine, Howard School of Medicine). In all 3 instances, they stressed how the curriculum emphasized the health disparities for people of color and stressed the importance of communicating their understanding when providing treatment.
For people of color (especially Black people), the need to have someone who 1) looks like them, 2) understands their cultural distrust, 3) understands their cultural health demographics and 4) can effectively communicate treatment and prevention options is crucial.
I think I can say it best based on my experience with my former doctor, Dr. Jose Berrios (retired, Puerto Rican) back when he gave me a prostate exam in my early 40s:
ME: Why am I getting a prostate exam? I’m in my early 40s. I thought you don’t get a prostate exam until you’re in your 50s.
DOC: Yea, if you’re a white man. Black and Latino men have a higher incidence rate of prostate cancer so they are recommended to get the exam at age 45 so BEND OVER PAPI!
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