Dr. King said, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’
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This year, the national theme for #BlackHistoryMonth is Black health and wellness, and for good reason: the pandemic-related challenges of the past couple years have underscored the need to address this topic head-on.
Recently, Yale New Haven Hospital President Keith Churchwell shared a reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and health disparities, which I want to highlight.
From Dr. Churchwell: “On March 25, 1966 at a Chicago press conference prior to a speech he was to give at the Medical Committee for Human Rights, Dr. King said, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’ As the pandemic has demonstrated, disparities in care and the impact it has had on minority communities across the country continues to be a burning issue for healthcare and society. What we have come to recognize is the need to improve the ways in which we communicate with our patients who are at greatest risk so that we can deliver optimal care to everyone. Our care must not just be episodic, but longitudinal, joining our patients on their journey to better health. This is of paramount importance in the lessons learned from the pandemic, a lesson underscored by the words of Dr. King: ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ As we close out Black History Month, our job is to recognize that now is the time for us to do what is right for patients and families in their time of need, this month and the next and the next.”
Thank you for sharing, Keith.
What are your reflections this month?
Recently, Yale New Haven Hospital President Keith Churchwell shared a reflection on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and health disparities, which I want to highlight.
From Dr. Churchwell: “On March 25, 1966 at a Chicago press conference prior to a speech he was to give at the Medical Committee for Human Rights, Dr. King said, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.’ As the pandemic has demonstrated, disparities in care and the impact it has had on minority communities across the country continues to be a burning issue for healthcare and society. What we have come to recognize is the need to improve the ways in which we communicate with our patients who are at greatest risk so that we can deliver optimal care to everyone. Our care must not just be episodic, but longitudinal, joining our patients on their journey to better health. This is of paramount importance in the lessons learned from the pandemic, a lesson underscored by the words of Dr. King: ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ As we close out Black History Month, our job is to recognize that now is the time for us to do what is right for patients and families in their time of need, this month and the next and the next.”
Thank you for sharing, Keith.
What are your reflections this month?
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