Recently, I was invited to serve as a keynote speaker to present on a topic that really struck an emotional chord — the disparities that exist when it comes to access to healthcare. While I spoke to a room filled with those intrigued by the topic, I wanted to reach a broader audience with this message so I am sharing an excerpt from my presentation. Please take it to heart and share!
Travel back with me to my kindergarten class at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Gary. My teacher Mrs. Springer was going around the room asking us what we wanted to be when we grew up. This was an easy answer for me, and I was excited for Mrs. Springer to call my name. You see I had just had my kindergarten school physical and I knew who I wanted to be after that visit.
When my name was finally called, and I was asked the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Without hesitation, I confidently stated that I wanted to be a doctor. There was laughter across the room mainly from the boys, who said “girls cannot be doctors”. Mrs. Springer stood up and came over to me and grasped both of my hands, looked me in the eye and said,” “You can be anything you want to be.” I have never forgotten that. I took that with me all throughout my primary education, college and medical school, up to today.
I was too young to understand then, but it eventually became clear to me that the boys were doubting my capabilities because I was a girl. Also, I think it was because my classmates and I had never experienced a Black female physician at our young age.
This pattern of exclusion occasionally reared its head over the years, but I refused to be a victim of circumstance. The more the exclusion, the more I was motivated to prove to every doubter that not only would I finish college but medical school as well. I can proudly say that out of over 500 students that graduated with me from high school, I am the only physician from my high school class.
While completing my residency, I really began to see the disparities that exist in healthcare and the immense need for supportive services in communities of color. I knew something had to be done.
During my tenure on the board of health for the City of Gary, I came across an opportunity to apply for a grant to establish a federally qualified healthcare center in an underserved area. State funding was successfully secured and the journey to building Community HealthNet Health Centers began.
My team and I began in a trailer treating patients in Glen Park by Lew Wallace High School. That experience made me even more determined to create areas of accessibility for quality healthcare to those who live in poverty-stricken communities without healthcare coverage. It is heartbreaking to see anyone denied treatment due to their inability to pay. I think that we all should see this as unacceptable.
Fast forward to today, Community HealthNet has 9 locations across Northwest Indiana. While we are extremely proud of this accomplishment, the scales are still uneven when it comes to access to care and supportive services.
So, the question becomes, how do we close the gaps and ultimately eliminate inequity in healthcare? Surely, we will not solve this massive dilemma overnight, but I believe a solution begins with understanding.
Let’s explore some factors that contribute to these disparities beginning with race and ethnicity.
Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience lower quality care, higher rates of chronic disease, and barriers to healthcare utilization. According to a report by the National Institute of Health, in 2023, Black patients had worse outcomes compared to their white counterparts on 52% of the quality measures evaluated.
Socioeconomic status
Individuals with lower income and education levels often have limited access to healthcare facilities, preventive services, and health insurance coverage.
Geographic location
Although rural areas often lack sufficient healthcare infrastructure and resources compared to urban regions. Urban areas like Gary are often prone to the same circumstances of being medically underserved and having lack of specialty health care resources.
Education
Adults with less than a high school diploma bear a disproportionate share of the burden of education-related health inequities.
Some other factors that contribute to healthcare inequality include implicit bias and discrimination in healthcare settings, economic suppression, unequal educational access, and widespread housing segregation.
After listing these areas of concern, it becomes more apparent that there are some things that we can do collectively to help address these disparities.
The chronic diseases that exist in many communities of color are oftentimes preventable or treatable. I have become a walking billboard for us all to lead healthier lifestyles. Simple adjustments like drinking more water, exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables and getting ample rest can lead to less trips to the emergency room and hospital stays and more regular quarterly or annual check-ups.
It’s no secret that we are in an election season. While the focus seems to rest so heavily on the national race, the state and local competitions have a much greater impact on the outcomes we want to see in our communities.
Congressmen, State representatives, county officials, mayors and councilpersons all play key roles in the legislative process and how dollars are allocated and spent. Equitable and affordable access to healthcare is a hot button topic, and they need to hear from their constituents in order to act on our behalf.
This is not me being political, I want to drive home the importance of making our voices heard through voting and educating ourselves on where those who are elected to represent us stand on equitable healthcare and supportive services.
The champions who are being honored tonight are doing great work. They are supporting programs and services that are designed to be accessed by anyone in need. It starts with all of us, and it starts now. Will you do your part?
Before I take my seat, I want to share a personal side of me that brings me so much joy. Those who know me can attest to my obsession with gardening. I love to start with seeds and grow them into something amazing.
Over the years, I have had to consider what type of soil to use, how to deter critters from devouring my crop, making adjustments for proper sunlight and simply what type of produce to plant. Each harvest gets a little better as I get more in tune with my farmer side.
I smile when I see a tiny watermelon budding, a tomato, blueberry, herb or whatever I have planted begins to sprout. Then I focus on cultivating my garden to ensure it gets the attention it needs from weeding to watering to harvesting.
So here is the fun part for me. I get to take the fruits of my labor and use them as ingredients to be included as I prepare delicious meals for me and my family to enjoy.
I shared my passion for gardening with you not only because it is healthy, economical and therapeutic, but it is also the perfect analogy to how we must address the inequities that exist in access to quality healthcare.
I don’t just pay attention to one bed in my garden. They all receive sunlight, water, weeding and whatever tender care is needed to ensure growth. We are not equally tending to every bed in the garden of healthcare!
I challenge every healthcare provider and professional to emphasize equity and implement in your respective areas. Treat all patients with respect and dignity. Find ways to open your doors to diverse populations through grants and other creative funding.
And last but certainly not least, when and wherever you can, continue to be a voice for the voiceless by advocating for healthcare that is both equitable and accessible to all!
