As a board-certified family and cardiovascular nurse practitioner, I witness firsthand the health inequities in Black America. Our poorer health outcomes are too often framed as individual failures when in reality, our mistrust with regard to the healthcare system is quite valid. From The Mothers of Gynecology to Black Doctors and Patients Still Battling Racism in Medicine, our mistrust is valid. Despite this, we are getting sicker younger and dying earlier than the national average.
Representation, education and policy can improve our health outcomes and healthcare experiences. My work involves mentoring the next generation of nurses, educating communities and clinicians and advising on health policy.