WVON

The primary role of medical education is to produce a competent health care workforce capable of meeting the health care needs of our population. Therefore, the central goal of our health care workforce must be the… elimination of health inequity. The health care workforce as historically and conventionally conceived has not accomplished this goal, and in many ways has contributed to and compounded the problems. The effort to develop a workforce capable of addressing health inequity will produce a number of outcomes. Increased diversity and an improved sense of belonging will be among the most notable.

Trust is a key component in delivering quality and respectful care within health care systems. Trust in health care includes beliefs that providers and organizations have characteristics of honesty, competence, and good communication and that they… maintain confidentiality. Higher levels of trust in health care environments are associated with greater service utilization, improved provider-patient communication, and better health outcomes among patients. However, a growing lack of confidence in health care, particularly among specific subgroups of the population in the United States, could further widen existing health disparities. To achieve health equity, strategies to rebuild trust and reach diverse communities are needed.

Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer accounting for 10-20% of breast cancers. Triple-negative breast cancers tend to grow and spread more quickly than other types of breast cancer and can return… after treatment. Because of this, this type of breast cancer is considered to be more aggressive than other forms of breast cancer. Research shows that some people have a greater chance of developing triple negative breast cancer if they are subject to certain risk factors. And like other types of breast cancer, catching triple negative breast cancer early through routine cancer screening can help improve prognosis.

Generally speaking, people in good health rarely need medications or have the need to see a specialist. So, it’s probably natural that most give little thought to selecting a primary care provider. At some point,… though, everyone is going to feel under the weather, which might call for a medical opinion. Primary care providers manage day-to-day health needs. A long-term relationship with one keeps you healthier and lowers medical costs. They can teach you ways to stay healthy, treat you when you’re sick and help you get more advanced care when you need it. The relationship you build with your primary care provider is one of the most important ones you’ll ever have.

About one of every three Americans will develop some form of cancer during his or her lifetime. Despite these grim statistics, doctors have made great progress in understanding the biology of cancer cells, and they have… already been able to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. But instead of just waiting for new breakthroughs, you can do a lot to protect yourself right now. Screening tests can help detect malignancies in their earliest stages, but you should always be alert for symptoms of the disease.

Homicide is the third leading cause of death for youth in the United States. Emergency departments treat over 800 young people for physical assault-related injuries each day. Youth violence is a significant problem that affects thousands of… young people each day, and in turn, their families, schools, and communities. It can also affect a community’s economic health, as well as individuals’ physical and mental health and well-being. Youth violence is preventable but cannot be accomplished by one sector alone.

Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit and should have no place in our world. It is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world. Human trafficking is… notoriously underreported. It can happen to anyone, but some people are more vulnerable than others. Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries. Just as there is no one type of trafficking victim, perpetrators of this crime also vary. Over the past decade, the FBI’s human trafficking investigations have been responsible for the arrest of thousands of traffickers and the recovery of numerous victims.

Good sexual and reproductive health is important for a female’s general health and wellbeing. It is central to their ability to make choices and decisions about their life, including when, or whether, to consider having… children. Sexual and reproductive health is not only about physical wellbeing – it includes the right to healthy and respectful relationships, health services that are inclusive, safe and appropriate, access to accurate information, effective and affordable methods of contraception and access to timely support and services in relation to unplanned pregnancy. However, access to these services is shaped by a broad range of factors. The perspectives and experiences of Black females in obtaining sexual and reproductive health care can help to shape the next generation of policies and programs.

It’s not clear why some women have a lot of dense breast tissue and others do not. Having dense breast tissue is common. For most women, breasts become less dense with age. But in some women,… there’s little change. Despite concerns about detecting cancer in dense breasts, mammograms are still effective screening tools. You and your doctor may consider additional or supplemental testing based on your other risk factors and your personal preferences.

Cervical cancer continues to rank among the top gynecologic cancers worldwide. According to current data, it is ranked 14th among all cancers and is the 4th most common cancer among women worldwide. Nearly 13,000 new cases are… diagnosed each year in the United States, and more than 4,000 women die of it. Disparities also exist with this form of cancer. In fact, the number of deaths from cervical cancer in Black women is twice that in White women. Cervical cancer is preventable, and new cases can be reduced through targeted education, screening, and intervention.

When thinking about maternity care, usually pregnancy, labor and delivery are what come to mind. The postpartum period, however, is equally as important. The period after a baby’s arrival can be a busy and stressful… time. The weeks after birth represent a period of major adjustments and new beginnings. Postpartum care is actually not emphasized enough. In fact, only 58% of women go to their own postnatal visits, and only 28% of women bring their babies for a postnatal check-up. Despite having new responsibilities, it is important to continue prioritizing mother’s and newborn’s health.

Nearly 48% of Black women and 44% of Black men have some form of heart disease. The rate of heart disease is also higher in the growing middle and upper-class Black community than in White Americans with similar… socioeconomic status. Why is this happening? Statistics show that Black people have higher rates of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes – common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease. Genetic factors also add to these higher rates, as do societal factors, such as gaps in income and education. Discrimination and health care access can have a profound impact on treatment and health outcomes. Education and awareness are just the beginning.