BREAKING: new study in JAMA, "casts the nation’s racial inequities in stark relief, finding that the higher mortality rate among Black Americans resulted in 1.63 million excess deaths relative to white Americans over more than two decades. Because so many Black people die young — with many years of life ahead of them — their higher mortality rate from 1999 to 2020 resulted in a cumulative loss of more than 80 million years of life compared with the white population, the study showed." #healthequity #healthcare #physician #whatinspiresme
Kay Judge, MD, MHA After 30 years building 4 “New Generation” AAMC Medical Schools in the Deep South… all with a mission to train physicians to “Meet the needs of the rural poor, disenfranchised and medically underserved peoples.” I can tell you this IS Real! It’s not some misaligned or biased statistical miscalculation. If you get out of your comfort zone, and step into the multitude of medically underserved communities… it will break your heart. Excess Apathy causes Excess Deaths. Give a shit. Put on your jeans and hikers. Go see for yourself. Inner city or Rural remote. It’s real. Carpe Diem. Care. Then act. Thanks, Kay. This story needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
Although it is not surprising, seeing the numbers calculated as 1.63 m excess deaths and 80 million cumulative loss of years of life compared with white population is an indictment of systemic racism.
Short easy read and data to back the conclusions that explain the headlines. The richness of the loss of talent and ingenuity to our society can only be imagined.
This is an excellent read. Thank you for sharing!
Kay, thank you for sharing. These figures are devastating to read. I’m not sure how anyone could see this data and not demand we do better.
To address these egregious disparities, we must take decisive action. Firstly, it is crucial to invest in comprehensive healthcare reforms that prioritize equitable access to quality care for all individuals, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status. This includes expanding Medicaid coverage, strengthening community health centers in underserved areas, and promoting culturally competent care. Furthermore, addressing the social determinants of health is imperative. Initiatives targeting systemic racism, poverty, education, housing, and employment disparities must be implemented to create a more just and equitable society. These efforts can be complemented by increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce, ensuring representation and cultural sensitivity in healthcare settings. Additionally, we need to prioritize health equity in research, policy development, and resource allocation. This includes directing funding towards community-based interventions, preventive care, and health promotion programs that specifically target marginalized communities. Ultimately, eliminating racial health disparities requires a collective commitment from policymakers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and society as a whole.