Time for Inclusion of Racial and Gender Discrimination in Routine Clinical Assessment.

Journal: Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities

Volume: 8

Issue: 4

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. Department of Dynimic and Clinical Psycology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. danilobuonsenso@gmail.com.

Abstract summary 

Recently, there has been an increasing amount of scientific interest towards the broad theme of racial inequalities and their impact on human health, specifically exploring how ethnic discrimination affects the wellness of black people and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these conditions of inequity also affect black children. Discrimination and racism should be routinely considered as causative agents or triggers of disease and routinely included in clinical examination, during history collection and evaluation of vital signs. This will benefit child and family health, worldwide. We shared our recent experience by reporting a case of a 13-year-old black girl who came to Italy from Niger about 3 years earlier through the traumatizing migratory journey. She was evaluated in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) for sleepiness that had progressively worsened during the last days. We describe the case and how it was handled differently by pediatricians and pediatric trainees with equally different personal and professional backgrounds.We also report the preliminary results of a national survey aimed to assess discrimination and inequalities in Italian Paediatric Residency Schools. Medical ability has been allowing us to respond rapidly to a novel virus in order to save lives. The expertise of doctors and researchers must be used to evaluate this hidden crisis as well, to address racism and injustice and to protect vulnerable people from harm. Our case showed us how it is essential including racial and gender discrimination in a diagnostic process.

Authors & Co-authors:  De Rose Cristina C Spinola Olivia O Buonsenso Danilo D

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  The Lancet Medicine and medical science: Black lives must matter more. Lancet. 2020;395:1813. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31353-2.
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s40615-021-01061-0
SSN : 2196-8837
Study Population
Girl
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Child abuse;Children;Education;Gender discrimination;Mental health;Racism
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
Switzerland