Brian Smith’s Post

#PennNursing's Sara Jacoby’s NINR-funded research explores how social, environmental, and economic factors impact Black patients' risk of serious injury, care experience, and recovery. Watch the video to learn more about her vital work: https://lnkd.in/eCkQ5W5F.

When it's time to discuss elder care, empathy and compassion are critical. Our latest article helps you navigate this challenging yet necessary conversation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/grvp6TJj

In 2019, we partnered with Pennsylvania state leaders to scan their state policy and funding opportunities💰, identify gaps and barriers for people with behavioral health needs in local criminal justice systems, and address public health and safety problems. Learn more about the experience and the three priority areas state leaders identified for further progress here: https://bit.ly/3MzYWSA

What another great moment presenting for Department of Corrections for their 2024 DOC MAT and Harm Reduction Conference. I've enjoyed presenting each year since they've had it and the topic of "How We Speak Matters: Undoing Stigmatizing Language" did not disappoint. Let's play I Spy, because yes, I purposely place some things to have in the background. Considering the topic and audience here are some things to notice: "The Harm Reduction Gap" by Sheila Vakharia. I include a slide about her book because it opens with "A Note on Language" and how it matters and carries weight. Note, some of our old signs from the Community Medical Services clinics. We revamped and changed the language in our signs to be more person-centered. Let's notice the t-shirt on the chair about "Counseling Awareness Month."

In late 2023, CHCF put out a call for projects that would improve clinical quality of care for Black Californians. The response was voluminous, with community clinics, hospitals, and technology start-ups from across the state proposing interventions that addressed the care continuum. https://ow.ly/EwOP50Uchu0

Thank you Uche for highlighting this study that help us better understand noticeable recent trends in medical racism are not new phenomena. Race-based assumptions about Black people not only influence disability classification and benefit outcomes but almost all areas of our lives. Diagnosis of a Black person presenting with health-related conditions to doctors and at healthcare facilities are mostly based on age-old assumptions about our presumed inferiorities and differences. These racist assumptions are not based on objective scientific evidence, rather on social construction of otherness. Bringing this kind of evidence-based study into spaces like this gives us an opportunity to now challenge misdiagnosis and mistreatment of Black people, and all people marginalized by race, socioeconomics, gender, age, ableism, etc. Let’s keep the dialogue ongoing and create a paradigm shift that will move us forward.

Curious about the evolution of Better Speech and Hearing Month? Here's the scoop! 🍧 Over 50 years ago, the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action (NAHSA), a branch of The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), initiated this awareness campaign. This year, the observance month will take on a new name, moving forward as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. The word "better" was removed from the title to promote inclusivity and eliminate labels that could potentially imply judgment. What hasn't changed is the mission—to increase recognition of communication disorders, educate the public, and promote preventative measures. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dA63EjYr.

Thank you Dr. Blackstock for this vital info. What strikes me before even reading the study in full are the ongoing economic impacts to Black Americans from using racist measurements in healthcare. And I’m thinking about the long term, compounding effects of said economic realities. Accurate data prevents Black people, a population with much higher rates of asthma, thanks to more pollution exposure, due to redlining and then chemical giants seeming those neighborhoods “sacrifice zones.” Using a non evidence based measurement not only prevents proper healthcare but prevents Black people who literally CANNOT BREATHE from getting disability payments. So they are forced to live in neighborhoods with higher rates of poverty and pollution, and policing. I’m thinking about ALL this as the headline of the post in my feed right before Dr. Blackstock’s post was how the 11th Curcuit Court just ruled against the Fearless Fund. 3 Judges, 2 of whom were appointed by 🍊🚽, said funding Black founders and their businesses was unfair to white people. Black women receive .001% of VC funds. They lose $964,000 over a 40 year career—$1 million less from the racial and gender wage gaps, wealth gaps and systemic racism. 95% of Black owned businesses got zero support in the first few rounds of pandemic stimulus, but billionaires got $256 Billion more for their “small business” bail outs. Gives new meaning to the saying “It’s hard to catch your breath.” ICYMI “The American experiment” is clearly a flop.

Calling All Heroes! Let's "Marie Kondo" Race-Based Medicine! 🩺 My network is full of incredible people, and today I need YOUR voices! Race-based medicine is failing us. A new study just showed how adjusting lung function tests for race disadvantages Black Americans, leading to missed diagnoses and unfair treatment. This is just one example, like the debunked Black Coefficient in kidney transplants. History keeps repeating, but it's time to say goodbye! ♀️♂️ MY NETWORK IS FULL OF ALLIES! ( Scientists, providers, researchers, activists etc. If your in my network and your reading this right now: Sound Off! Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Have you seen the effects of race-based medicine? Spread Awareness! Share this post and raise the alarm. Let's get everyone NOT YET talking about this crucial issue. Follow me Lauren Weickert MSN, CPHQ, CHN, PMP, CPE, follow Uché Blackstock, MD and the others i will continue to bring to your feed ✊🏿 Together, let's "Marie Kondo" race-based medicine! It no longer sparks joy, and it's time to "thank" it for its "service" and let it go! Let's rewrite history and ensure EVERYONE gets the care they deserve! #EndRaceBasedMedicine #RacialEqualityInHealthcare

TSPMG's Anna Skold, MD, was recently featured in the Medical Association of Atlanta's webinar, "The Silver Tsunami: Myths & Facts." A range of topics were discussed, such as debunking myths and providing facts about all things elder care; what to do when helping family members with diminished cognitive functional capacity; how to plan for end of life; advance directives and wills; the differences between elder care attorneys and estate planning, and so much more. Watch here: https://ow.ly/OvVp50TQM5S