Work

Understanding the roots of mistrust in medicine: Learning from the example of sickle cell disease

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: What happens when a healthcare system that was developed by a nation founded on the labor of enslaved individuals intersects with a disease that disproportionately affects communities of color?Shortened life expectancy, 1 worsened quality of life, 2 and differential access to what should be an untenable right-health.A brief lesson in history will demonstrate how these poor outcomes are traced to structural racism thereby cultivating mistrust and poor outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD).Structural racism refers to when a system (e.g., health care) assigns value and power based on race, thereby enabling discriminatory practices and policies that perpetuate inequity.3 Following the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved Black individuals, hospitals and physicians refused to provide medical treatment to Black patients until Congress intervened. 4 Centuries of prejudicial law led to permissible understaffing, mandated segregation, and limiting access to quality treatment.4 While some institutions maintained separate floors for | 495

Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/jhm.12800

Authors: Julia E. LaMotte, Gerard D. Hills, Khajae Henry, Seethal A. Jacob

Institutions: Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Race, Genetics, and Society

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000