Melody T. McCloud is an obstetrician-gynecologist and can be reached on Twitter @DrMelodyMcCloud.

Breaking down the link between social rejection and Black women’s health outcomes

Physician
May 5, 2023

As ethnic diversity increases in the United States, it is important for physicians (and all in the health care delivery workforce) to keep in mind what factors play significant roles in the matter of ethnic health disparities.

With a U.S. population of over 330 million, Hispanics—inclusive of Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and South Americans—now number 62 million, according to the 2020 Census. This equates to almost 19 percent of the …

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Breaking down the link between social rejection and Black women’s health outcomes

Physicians are called to care and service, pandemic or not

Physician
May 14, 2020

“I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to be in, a position to relieve the suffering of others.”
— Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler

In a time of crisis, epidemic or pandemic, “Who ya gonna call?”: An athlete? A booty-shaking singer? Television or movie stars? Yes, entertainers’ work provide humans fun. They make us laugh, or can foster team pride. But are they heroes? Do they save lives?

Might you call …

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Physicians are called to care and service, pandemic or not

Rid the airwaves of pharmaceutical advertising

Medications
March 3, 2014

On February 18, 2014 the Food and Drug Administration indicated their consideration to allow pharmaceutical companies to shorten the list of possible side effects seen by millions everyday and night in pharmaceutical ads and commercials.

In recent years, citizens — patients and consumers — have been bombarded with numerous and lengthy televised commercials in which pharmaceutical companies push their medicinal wares. It’s called “direct-to-consumer” advertising (DTC).

Such DTC efforts work for detergents, …

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Rid the airwaves of pharmaceutical advertising

Find out whether your electronic medical record is accurate

Physician
October 18, 2012

Because someone rammed her SUV half-head-on into my car, this physician-surgeon has, of late, been a patient at physicians’ offices and outpatient surgical centers; and while medical sights, sounds, and sharp scalpels don’t scare me, one thing I’ve discovered about electronic medical records does.  They may not be accurate.

I love my profession. I am a stickler for accuracy, and I like reviewing patient charts. I always secure a copy of …

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Find out whether your electronic medical record is accurate