| TOP OF MIND |
 Six months ago, I apologized for the part I played in contributing to the worst health system in the Western world. Little did I imagine it would get even worse. The stats are still sobering. Life expectancy in the U.S. is just 79.25 years—ranking 40th globally and lagging far behind other wealthy nations. Despite spending nearly 18% of our GDP on health care (more than any other wealthy nation), we still rank last in key outcomes like life expectancy and preventable deaths.Families all over the country are feeling the pressure of a healthcare system that just isn’t working the way it used to. It’s getting harder to schedule appointments. Calls to the doctor’s office aren’t getting picked up. People are having to wait weeks, or even months, just to be seen. And when they finally do get care, getting answers and follow-up support can be slow and confusing. Healthcare has also become a jumbled mess. We’re all bouncing between different doctors, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies, and it feels like no one is talking to each other. More and more, it’s up to us—the patients—to manage our own care. On top of all that, costs just keep going up. With higher co-pays, bigger deductibles, and surprise bills, many families are being forced to put off seeing a doctor or skip out on care altogether. These problems hit Black and underserved communities the hardest, making it even more difficult to get the care they’ve long been denied. The gaps that were already there are now getting wider. There’s no one reason for this mess. A shortage of healthcare workers, endless paperwork, and money problems all contribute. But one thing is for sure: the system is a nightmare to get through, and it’s families who are suffering because of it. Stay Healthy, Dr. Mike If you find our Ethnic Health Reports informative and useful, please forward and share this email with your friends and family. #TogetherInThis |
| Memory & Thought Conversations / Addressing Stigma Redefining Brain Health Conversations in Our Communities |
| AND BLACK AMERICA AAWP launched the And Black American campaign to provide tools, resources, and information to address the healthcare inequities that persist in the Black community because health equity, children’s safety, and women’s health all share one common theme: we need science, not ideology, to guide care. Whether it’s addressing sleep apnea in Black men or combating misinformation about pregnancy and maternal health, our communities deserve clear, transparent, and truthful information. That is the purpose of this Journal, to bring our community the facts, the context, and the tools needed to make informed decisions and stay healthy. |
 Black Maternal Health Crisis – Still Not Moving Fast Enough Despite slight improvements in overall maternal mortality rates in the United States, a significant racial disparity persists. Black women are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts, a gap that remains stubbornly wide.This alarming statistic is driven by a complex combination of factors: Bias in care: Implicit and explicit bias within the healthcare system often leads to Black women’s pain and concerns being dismissed, resulting in delayed or inadequate care. Access issues: Many Black women face significant barriers to receiving consistent, high-quality prenatal and postpartum care, including geographic distance, lack of insurance, and transportation challenges. Policy changes: Recent policy shifts affecting reproductive care and healthcare funding have further exacerbated these access issues for marginalized communities. This maternal health crisis is not just a statistic; it is arguably the defining Black health issue of our time, demanding urgent and comprehensive solutions to ensure equitable care for all mothers. |
| Breakthrough in Cancer Care Equity (Genetics Finally Catching Up) New genetic testing now includes genetic variants that are more common in Black patients, a significant step forward in addressing healthcare disparities. Previously, these tests were predominantly based on white European genetics. This lack of diversity often led to inaccurate results for Black patients, resulting in dangerous medication dosing errors, particularly in areas like chemotherapy. This change represents a quiet revolution in healthcare, with major implications for advancing both precision medicine and health equity for all populations.  |
 Hospital Inequity: Same Neighborhood, Starkly Different Care It’s a disturbing reality: Black patients are disproportionately admitted to lower-quality hospitals, even when higher-performing facilities are just as close, if not closer.A recent study highlights that this isn’t a matter of geography or patient choice. It’s a systemic issue rooted in structural inequalities within our healthcare system. The findings reveal that referral patterns and ambulance dispatch routes often perpetuate this segregation, leading to significant disparities in health outcomes for patients living in the same area. |
 How to Select a Doctor Ok, no open secret. Primary care doctors’ offices are now just stationary urgent care centers. There is no need for bedside manner, because it’s unlikely that your doctor will be at your bedside. Because in most communities, when you are admitted to the hospital, you can be cared for by the in-house doctor. It probably improves efficiency in treatment and, more importantly, reduces inpatient hospital stay days. I used to know all the specialists that I used. But in my area, I have never seen most of these specialists because they are in “the plan”. That does not mean they are not competent. But I just can’t pick up the phone and talk to them about your case like I used to. So are my suggestions.Forget those ratings like Yelp and US News and World Report. Ask your friends and relatives about Primary Care Physicians. Important things to know: Do you prefer a man or a woman…or a physician from your culture Is the Doctor in your plan Reputation with patients Location Do they listen and explain Can you reach someone when you need them What hospital do they use, and what is its reputation |
| For more information, go to our website at www.aawellnessproject.org. or listen to our podcast at Blackdoctorsspeak.org on any podcast platform. |