Further into Discrimination in the Healthcare System

By: Neha Narayan

For many families in the United States, accessible and reliable healthcare is a necessity. However, there are many aspects that affect African Americans’ access to proper healthcare. In fact, many physical and mental issues that plague the Black community are related to the access of healthcare, with socioeconomic status being a big obstacle to receiving quality care. However, access to healthcare services is one of the many medical-related struggles faced by Black Americans, and it is crucial to understand the extent to which institutionalized racism has affected this vital industry.

There are already stigmas towards mental health issues. Having mental health conditions and seeking help leads to people feeling weak and embarrassed. Systemic racism places a significant burden on African Americans, and these stigmas further discourage them to seek the help they need and deserve. It is crucial that we continue the fight against mental health stigmas, and ensure there are adequate resources for Black Americans. Some efforts have already been made. Websites such as InnoPsych have been developed specifically for people of color to seek help for mental health issues in a comfortable and race-conscious environment.

Further, Black doctors, and physicians deal with racism in their professions. This is detrimental to both them and African Americans who look for support in the healthcare system. Their skills may be undermined, and they may feel as though they have to work twice as hard as others in order to prove themselves worthy of their position. Microaggressions in the workplace from coworkers and staff alike prevent them from being able to reach their full potential as valuable assets to healthcare. Not only in healthcare, but across numerous professional fields, African American professionals are sometimes viewed as “filling up diversity requirements” which often leads to coworkers and upper-level employees undermining the hard work they have accomplished to reach the position they are in.

However, there are many African American contributions to medicine worth celebrating.

One individual who must be celebrated is Dr. Alexa Canady, the first African American neurosurgeon in the United States. She was fascinated by the “intricate structures; the billions of neurons constantly receiving, interpreting and relaying sensory information; the immeasurable capabilities” of the brain. She has helped thousands of patients during her career in pediatric neurosurgery, and broke through the barriers of racism to be recognized as a top resident.

Solomon Carter Fuller was the first African American psychiatrist, who helped increase the knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease. He also helped diagnose side effects of Syphilis in Black war veterans. He was also chosen by Alois Alzheimer to perform research at the University of Munich in the Royal Psychiatric Hospital.

Combating the stigmas that deny African Americans proper access to healthcare facilities is not an easy task, especially considering the years of institutionalized racism that has been ingrained in society. However, by raising awareness towards the disparities and supporting African Americans who struggle in receiving these services, positive changes can be made.