In this episode, breast surgical oncologist and president of the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario, Dr. Mojola Omole, joins us to talk about her advocacy work. She shares how she aims to increase the percentage of Black physicians in Ontario, reduce systemic barriers and racism in medicine, and support Black mental health. We also discuss the need for more robust data that accounts for racial differences to inform screening recommendations.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:50: Dr. Omole shares her reasons for specializing in breast cancer, emphasizing her enjoyment of its multidisciplinary approach and the opportunity it presents for impactful advocacy and community outreach

04:31: Dr. Omole discusses the systemic barriers preventing Black individuals from entering the medical field

06:08: Dr. Omole talks about her work with the Canadian Medical Association Journal

07:10: Dr. Omole explains the misconceptions around 'over-screening' and emphasizes the importance of recognizing biological differences across populations in medical treatment and screening practices

09:15: Dr. Omole discusses the lack of training in medical schools regarding the variations in disease presentation across different populations, emphasizing the need for medical education to incorporate diverse biological and social contexts

11:15: Dr. Omole discusses the Canadian taskforce on preventative health care’s recommendations on breast cancer screening, arguing they do not reflect the earlier ages at which women of certain ethnic backgrounds typically present with breast cancer

13:20: Dr. Omole suggests that economic considerations heavily influence national screening recommendations in Canada, which may lead to later diagnoses and poorer outcomes in underrepresented populations

15:00: Zoe reflects on the conversation, noting the critical shortage of family physicians in Canada, which impacts routine screening and health care access

15:19: Dr. Omole offers advice to other health care providers on staying informed and understanding the unique risk factors and needs of diverse patient populations to provide better, more personalized care

16:19: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, The Health Advocates are joined by their colleagues Kelly Gavigan, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, and Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF. Together they delve into the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Based on the analysis of the results from a survey GHLF recently conducted, they explore how identity impacts health care experiences and treatment outcomes. This episode shines a light on the critical need for inclusive health care practices and offers valuable insights on improving patient-provider relationships. Join us as we uncover the lessons learned and steps forward for LGBTQ+ individuals living with IBD.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:52: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, provides an overview of IBD, explaining the types and common symptoms

03:14: Adam discusses general and specific challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in health care settings, focusing on the impact of discrimination and the importance of inclusive practices

06:05: Kelly explains the objectives behind the survey and the methodology used to capture data from LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

06:41: Kelly details the main findings from the survey, including demographic information and the impact of disclosing sexual and gender identities to health care providers

09:07: Adam discusses the apprehension LGBTQ+ individuals may feel about disclosing their sexual and gender identities to health care providers and explains the impact of anticipated discrimination, which can deter individuals from seeking necessary medical care

10:36: Kelly highlights the intention behind the survey to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

11:50: Kelly shares some surprising findings from the survey, such as the high percentage of participants who identified as gender other than cisgender man or woman, noting the importance of this diversity in respondents to gain a comprehensive understanding of the community’s needs

13:01: Adam reflects on the positive outcomes reported by survey participants who disclosed their LGBTQ+ identity to their health care providers, emphasizing how openness can lead to more personalized and effective health care, reducing the incidence of discrimination and improving overall patient satisfaction

14:23: Adam offers advice to LGBTQ+ patients who may be hesitant to disclose their identity to health care providers

15:40: Kelly discusses the next steps following the survey, focusing on how the findings can be used to develop targeted resources and educational materials for LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

16:55: Adam and Kelly express their hope that the survey findings will lead to meaningful changes in how health care is delivered to LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD

18:51: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, join The Health Advocates as they dive into the latest health news with a focus on the emerging H5N1 bird flu and its implications. They discuss the virus's potential to affect humans, current states with detected cases, and public health strategies to mitigate its spread. The hosts also touch on recent COVID-19 variants and the development of combined COVID and flu vaccines, reflecting on public health lessons learned from past pandemics and how these insights are shaping responses to new threats.

Tune in as our hosts discuss ongoing infectious disease challenges and the proactive measures in place to protect public health.

Among the highlights in this episode:

00:45: Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF, discusses the emergence of H5N1 bird flu affecting dairy cattle and notes human infections linked to farms

02:15: Steven reflects on public health responses to infectious diseases and the importance of early containment

03:24: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, discusses a new COVID variant, KP3, highlighting its characteristics and impacts

05:11: Steven and Zoe discuss new vaccine strategies for COVID-19, including an FDA panel's recommendations and the development of a combined COVID and flu vaccine by Moderna

06:21: Zoe highlights the potential public health benefits of a combined COVID and flu vaccine

07:08: Steven mentions a new FDA approval for an RSV vaccine for adults aged 50-59

08:01: Zoe and Steven discuss recent congressional hearings on COVID-19 origins and public health responses, emphasizing the importance of accurate public health information and reflection on past actions

10:19: The hosts discuss the impact of public perception on trust in public health officials and the need for balanced scrutiny

12:07: Zoe reflects on the eroding trust in public health and ways to rebuild it

14:23: Steven stresses the importance of preparing for future health crises based on past experiences

15:45: What our hosts learned from this episode

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to podcasts@ghlf.org

Catch up on all our episodes on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.