Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

COVID-19 becomes a magnifying glass for health disparities

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
Policy
July 8, 2020
283 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

The daily email update on COVID-19 affecting our hospital system is a glaring reflection of the health disparities amongst those in marginalized groups. The farther south you go, generally in San Diego, the higher the number of socioeconomically disadvantaged persons, and that tends to include a disproportionate number of persons of color.  These populations may be unable to physically distance due to living conditions and job conditions.  Perhaps there is a higher number of persons living together per household, in a smaller space, along with the inability to work from home.  And the mortality rates of those from COVID-19 amongst these persons is higher than white counterparts. Sometimes there is an inherent distrust in the medical system.  COVID-19 and racism intersect. However, this is not a unique situation in health care—many chronic illnesses portend worse outcomes for those in marginalized groups.  Marginalization means just that: glaringly apparent in health outcomes and socioeconomic disparities.

There is a recognition that racism is woven into the fabric of modern-day medicine.  How does one unravel this? How does one come to terms with this? Education about the past yes, implicit bias, and diversity training, of course, but more importantly, a call upon health care professionals to show up with an intention for those they are serving, especially those in marginalized groups with authenticity and compassion.  Beyond health care, racism is interwoven into the fabric of life in the U.S. Can we all learn to show up with compassion, for ourselves, our fellow human brothers and sisters?  We need this now more than ever.

The murder of George Floyd has been a galvanizing catalyst for anti-racism.  Why is that? His breath, a necessary function of the human body for life, was brutally taken from him, using a method that was dehumanizing. It was an example of the injustice occurring time and time again all over the U.S., for too long. No wonder the rage, the disappointment, the desire to change the way things are. When there is no breath, there is no life.  “There’s more right with you than wrong with you if you are breathing,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn. What about “There’s more right with you than wrong with you, if you are living.” Because sadly, the breath can be taken, even if you are otherwise healthy.  The breath can be taken if you contract COVID-19.  The breath can be taken from you if you are black.  The breath can be taken from you because you are not white.

COVID-19, the virus itself is neutral. However, because of racism interwoven into the U.S., COVID-19 becomes a magnifying glass, highlighting disparities, a thief of the breath, disproportionately affecting groups that are most affected by racism.  COVID-19 and racism together remove the breath of marginalized groups.  Breath that is freely given, to all humans, from the first moment of life.  Sometimes we are unable to control which diseases afflict us.  We cannot control the actions or thoughts of others, however hard we try.  We can only hope to influence, but others’ actions and thoughts are ultimately theirs. However, we can own our actions, own our responses when caring for those from marginalized groups:  notice, listen, pay attention, without judgment, with curiosity, to choose responses that can be intentionally anti-racist, not despite COVID-19, but particularly during COVID-19 and beyond.  Instead of choosing to be color blind, COVID-19 is an opportunity for us to develop Professor Rhonda Magee’s ColorInsight. From her new book, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness:

First, we ground our efforts in the desire, the will, and the courage to turn toward, rather than away from, race and racism to examine its role in all our lives. Second, we work to develop a deeper and more nuanced capacity to perceive and to understand how race and racism operate in our own lives and in those of others. Third, we deepen our ability to be with others as they reflect on these aspects of their experiences- to listen without judgment and with compassion, and to work together with them toward mutually healing personal and interpersonal transformation. And finally, we commit to looking for ways to act in favor of liberation that touches on the collective and the systemic, thereby opening the door for transformation that benefits us all.

How can we start to do this? We can start by noticing the breath.

Ni-Cheng Liang is a pulmonary physician and founder, the Mindful Healthcare Collective.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Why cultural competency courses should be requisites for medical school

July 8, 2020 Kevin 0
…
Next

Bottles and pacifiers: advice from a Latinx pediatrician

July 8, 2020 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: COVID, Infectious Disease, Public Health & Policy

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why cultural competency courses should be requisites for medical school
Next Post >
Bottles and pacifiers: advice from a Latinx pediatrician

More by Ni-Cheng Liang, MD

  • Telemedicine exhaustion is real

    Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
  • Reflections from a former intern

    Ni-Cheng Liang, MD
  • Anti-Asian racism magnified during COVID-19

    Ni-Cheng Liang, MD

Related Posts

  • COVID-19 shows why we need health insurance

    Jingyi Liu, MD
  • COVID-19 proved that diverse voices make health care better

    Naprisha Taylor
  • Forgetting mental health is a miss for the Biden COVID-19 task force

    Jennifer Piel, MD, JD
  • The social determinants of health during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Heather Thompson Buum, MD
  • COVID-19 misinformation is a public health crisis

    Jacob Uskavitch
  • Debunking false arguments about COVID-19 racial disparities

    Max Lauring

More in Policy

  • Unveiling the global pandemic threat: insights into risk factors and urgent measures for prevention

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • Why the WHO’s pandemic accord is critical for global health care

    Elizabeth Métraux
  • The revolutionary Kaiser-Geisinger deal: How health care giants are reshaping the industry and empowering patients

    Robert Pearl, MD
  • Unveiling the intricate link between housing costs and health care

    Harvey Castro, MD, MBA
  • Uncovering the truth about racial health inequities in America: a book review

    John Paul Mikhaiel, MD
  • Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine

    Katrina Gipson, MD, MPH
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Physician employment contracts: the key to fighting burnout and improving working conditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician
    • Decoding the brain’s decision-making: insights for medical professions and strategies for success

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Unmasking the truth: the shocking reality of the opioid epidemic and who’s really to blame

      Jay K. Joshi, MD | Physician
    • Discover your true north: Navigating life’s confusions and embracing your path to success

      Tyler Jorgensen, MD | Physician
    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Insomnia Symptoms Tied to Stroke a Decade Later
  • Studies Question Role of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in First-Line Advanced Breast Cancer
  • Full-On Reversal of Cardiac Amyloidosis Possible With Antibodies
  • Spell Check-Up: Do You Have the Skills to Pass This Spelling Test?
  • For Some, Sex Is Better Sleep Aid Than Pill, Small Survey Finds

Meeting Coverage

  • Studies Question Role of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in First-Line Advanced Breast Cancer
  • For Some, Sex Is Better Sleep Aid Than Pill, Small Survey Finds
  • Skipping Radiotherapy 'Seems Safe' for PMBCL Patients in Remission
  • Promising Gene Therapy for Overactive Bladder
  • Shotgun Sequencing of Small Intestine Reveals Species Tied to GI Symptom Severity
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Revealing America’s expansion: the dark truth of Native American suffering and unjustified abuses

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The tragic story of Mr. G: a painful journey towards understanding suicide

      William Lynes, MD | Physician
    • The rising threat of lung cancer in Asian American female nonsmokers

      Alice S. Y. Lee, MD | Conditions
    • From Moscow Mule to the opioid crisis: Unveiling the tragic legacy and urgent solutions

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Meds
  • Past 6 Months

    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
    • The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

      Elizabeth Cerceo, MD | Physician
    • Proactive risk management: a game-changer in preventing physician burnout

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Physician employment contracts: the key to fighting burnout and improving working conditions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician
    • Decoding the brain’s decision-making: insights for medical professions and strategies for success

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Unmasking the truth: the shocking reality of the opioid epidemic and who’s really to blame

      Jay K. Joshi, MD | Physician
    • Discover your true north: Navigating life’s confusions and embracing your path to success

      Tyler Jorgensen, MD | Physician
    • A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...