Dr. Brittani James, family physician and Co-Founder of The Institute for Antiracism in Medicine, joins KP in the ongoing discussion addressing health equity. Dr. James begins the conversation by sharing her upbringing, witnessing segregated systems in and outside the healthcare system. She reveals how the Covid-19 pandemic spotlighted the racial disparities in the healthcare systems and the mental health impact on the Black community.

While attending medical school at the University of Michigan, Dr. James reflects learning how black individuals are more inclined to experience health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but never taught the explanation of why. She further explains how race is often regarded as a biologically distinct entity, which has led to false conclusions that people of color are biologically different. This fundamental flaw inaccurately suggests and justifies the concept that people of color are “inferior” to other races on a biological and genetic level. Dr. James discusses how this misconception is evident in research studies, especially in medical journals, which are primary sources of information in medicine. She provides insights into the harmful effects of the lack of editorial neutrality in medical journals, such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, blocking scholarship of racism and findings in research.

The Institute of Antiracism in Medicine is designed to train clinicians to recognize implicit biases by providing tools to serve as advocates for their patients, understanding how to engage in the topic of racism, and ultimately eliminating racism from the healthcare system. Dr. James explains confronting racism and implementing change requires a clear understanding of its foundation. The first steps to creating change involve identifying your influence and recognizing relationships in your life.

Connect with Dr. Brittani James:

www.drbrittanijames.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrittanij/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-institute-for-antiracism-in-medicine/

Connect with KP:

linkedin.com/in/kaakpema-kp-yelpaala-379b269/

inonhealth.com/podcast

inonhealth.com/