COVID-19 has been a persisting burden in our lives for the past 2-ish years. Throughout these infamously “uncertain” times, we have learned to value healthcare workers to an entirely new level. Though medicine has been a savior to the human kind for as long as we can remember, it has done more harm than we would like to admit. One issue I would like to highlight is the racist and discriminatory issues in modern medicine, especially towards the black community. Although, these issues may be more popular in America, it is still incredible important for us to stay educated so we can work to improve the livelihood of black Canadians and other minorities in Canada.
Mistrust
For the majority of us, going to the hospital for some sutures or a cast requires no second thought. But, even in a country with free healthcare at our fingertips, this feeling of safety and trust is a privilege many that several black communities do not see. It is an unfortunate, but common, misconception that black patients feel less pain than white patients do. According to PHD Janice A Sabin from the Associate of American Medical Colleges, “Half of white medical trainees believe such myths as black people have thicker skin or less sensitive nerve endings than white people.” These racist based beliefs could not be farther from the medical truth and just to jeopardized safety and mistreatment of patients within the black community.
Various studies have proven that skin color or race is not a significant reflection of pain tolerance to justifiably give unfair or lower standards of treatment to certain racial groups. If anything, differences because of cultural practices are where pain tolerance may vary, not race.
Inaccurate Data
Data collected from clinical trials is often life changing and benefits the whole of society. Unfortunately, some trials targeting issues that affect specific racial minority groups are not very accurate. Only a tiny portion of the early trial participants are minorities who are likely to the most affected. As a result, the data is usually a reflection of how white participants respond instead of minorities. The problem is that a significant number of minorities are reluctant to participate in early trials because of mistrust.
What can we do?
We must do everything we can to foster an environment where black Canadians to feel safe and seen. As youth, our reach is pretty limited when trying to address problems as vast as racism in medicine, but social media is at our fingertips and we must continue taking advantage of it. Little things like a post or simple message can contribute to the bigger picture. This was especially true during the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer, so just because people have “moved on” from the issue, it does not mean you should too!
At the lunch table or the next time you hang out with friends, bring up this issue as listen to everyone’s thoughts and opinions. The best way to bring awareness to an issue is by starting conversation!