• Brooklyn
  • Manhattan
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Newsletter
Queens County Politics
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
 
  • News
    • Activism
    • Arts, Sports & Leisure
    • Community Close-Up
    • Education
    • Election
    • Government
      • City Government
      • State Government
      • Federal Government
    • Legislation/Policy
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Transportation
  • About
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Queens County Politics
No Result
View All Result

Doctors Call for Trauma-Informed Healthcare in Fight against Systemic Racism

Petra Kelly-Voicu by Petra Kelly-Voicu
June 15, 2020
in Health
0
Members of the #WhiteCoats4BlackLives movement pose in front of the SUNDY Downstate Medical Center. Contributed photo.

Members of the #WhiteCoats4BlackLives movement pose in front of the SUNDY Downstate Medical Center. Contributed photo.

0
SHARES
124
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Two New York City-based doctors and David Prize finalists hosted a zoom meeting discussing healthcare inequity and training of front-line workers in dealing with patients that have been exposed to trauma – and often repeatedly so.

Queens pediatrician Dr. Suzette Brown with one of her patients. Contributed photo.

Many healthcare systems perpetuate economic and health inequities that stem from systemic racism, according to Dr. Suzette Brown, Queens pediatrician and co-founder of Strong Children Wellness (SCW). These inequities and the improper training of front-line workers to respond to traumatic situations can further compound traumas, which has been highlighted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests.

The Defund the Police movement, for example, which has resulted from Black Lives Matter protests, stresses how police improperly respond to traumatic situations, and that funding should be reallocated to communities of color. 

 

“Shifting resources away from law enforcement for things that law enforcement shouldn’t be the first responders to I think is a really important conversation to have,” says Brown, citing that police are often the first to respond to domestic violence and mental health calls, but that communities may be better equipped to handle such situations.

“How you’re treated by law enforcement and medical professionals is traumatic by itself,” agrees Dr. Robert Gore, a Brooklyn-based emergency physician.

As more and more front-line workers work in spaces where trauma is unavoidable, they need to be trained in handling an array of stress factors, including but not limited to gun violence, COVID-19, police brutality, heart disease, or a combination of these factors.

Dr. Robert Gore, a Brooklyn-based emergency physician. Contributed photo.

“We’ve had many patients who have been impacted by all of those things, not just isolated incidents,” says Gore. “Front line workers need to receive the same sort of informed care and resources that we provide for our patients.”

Just like Brown, Gore also emphasizes the importance of community support, which may be more effective in dealing with the root causes of trauma. 

In his years of practice, Gore has noticed a disconnect between healthcare workers and patients, who often have an “us vs. them” mindset. This adversely affects the patient’s ability to heal from traumas. When people don’t have access to good healthcare, they come back,” says Gore.

As an example of how community support can improve healthcare, Gore founded Kings Against Violence Initiative to address the reoccurring violence that disproportionately affects young people of color and leads to repeated injuries, trauma, and even death. He stresses that prevention is not only cheaper than treating someone, but can also be life-saving, and that violence should be seen as a form of disease due to the resulting injuries.

SCW, on the other hand, has begun to offer virtual consultations to families in order to bridge gaps in providing healthcare to all patients, which has become more challenging during the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, the Queens-based organization now receives patients from around and even outside the city.

To further address racial inequities in trauma and public health issues, Brown and Gore encourage physicians to join the physical anti-racism network, which tackles issues relating to criminal justice reform, health, housing, and education.

Furthermore, trained physicians can join the #WhiteCoats4BlackLives movement and provide health services at protests, ensuring that those at the front lines of trauma are receiving the care they need.

“The goal of any health care practitioner is to become obsolete,” says Gore. “Checkups are one thing. But going back there for ongoing treatments for something that is preventable is a problem in and of itself.” 

Tags: Black Lives MatterFirst RespondersqueensQueens PoliticsSystemic Racism
Previous Post

Queens Lawmakers on the Move June 15, 2020

Next Post

Op-Ed: Why do Police Matter?

Petra Kelly-Voicu

Petra Kelly-Voicu

Petra Kelly-Voicu is a former environmental science researcher based in New York City. She is also passionate about anthropology, indigenous American cultures, and travel.

Next Post

Op-Ed: Why do Police Matter?

Subscribe to Our Daily Newsletter!

Podcast: Black & Jewish

Chaya and Ariama with the logo for "Black & Jewish" logo
 

Today's Top Read

  • Photo from candidate's Twitter

    Accusations of Anti-Semitism Fly After Tweet Draws Controversy in District 24 Special Election

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mother of Teenage Candidate Rejoices Over Son’s Bid for City Council

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queens DSA Condemns Syed’s Change of Heart Over Israel

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Syed Fires Back at Queens DSA Over Israel Stance

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queens Lawmakers on the Move Jan. 22, 2021

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Queens County Politics

©2020 Never Sink Media

Check out other local political news!

  • Brooklyn
  • Manhattan

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • About
  • Contact Us

©2020 Never Sink Media