Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day in the United States. There are many ways to observe this day and I spent some time thinking about what to share with you. (The other context is that I am in the midst of writing a large manuscript about pandemic disparities, along with a team of brilliant experts—so I have been especially thinking about these issues lately.)
A friend is an MD who works for the Indian Health Service; sometimes from home over Zoom and sometimes in person at several clinics. He has a lot of frequent flyer miles.
And many stories about people at understaffed clinics doing their best to care for a population with high rates of chronic health issues and very long travel distance to any sort of specialist. Recruiting MDs and mid-levels is a constant challenge; most permanent staff are nurses.
He often posts stunning pictures of the scenery he drives through in a rental car because these clinics are usually a long way from the nearest airport. Beautiful places, but very isolated.
I'm in the exact opposite situation, a short drive from a University Hospital.
Dr. Faust, thanks so much for bringing this important issue to light, especially today. As a person who is chronically ill and disabled for the last 38 years, as Vice Chair for Holyoke's Commission on Disability, and an activist for disability rights and the need for a more accessible, affordable, high quality healthcare system in this country that benefits practitioners and patients, I often start any testimony or public discussion with statistics on the rates of disability within already marginalized groups. That, of course, includes this one from the CDC, "AI/AN populations also face disability at a rate higher than other racial groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Native people overall are 50.3% more likely to have a disability, when compared to the national average. (Sep 6, 2023)" Sadly, this is a result of long term complex systemic racism. We cannot correct problems without first acknowledging that they exist.
Relatedly (kind of?), the older I get, the more the "acknowledgement of country" statements in programs and at the start of public events feel authentic and correct to me. We can be grateful, recognize the past can't be undone, but should be remembered.
A friend is an MD who works for the Indian Health Service; sometimes from home over Zoom and sometimes in person at several clinics. He has a lot of frequent flyer miles.
And many stories about people at understaffed clinics doing their best to care for a population with high rates of chronic health issues and very long travel distance to any sort of specialist. Recruiting MDs and mid-levels is a constant challenge; most permanent staff are nurses.
He often posts stunning pictures of the scenery he drives through in a rental car because these clinics are usually a long way from the nearest airport. Beautiful places, but very isolated.
I'm in the exact opposite situation, a short drive from a University Hospital.
My colleagues partner with indigenous communities and from all accounts, it has been a very positive experience for everyone.
https://hhi.harvard.edu/front-line-indigenous-partnership-program
Dr. Faust, thanks so much for bringing this important issue to light, especially today. As a person who is chronically ill and disabled for the last 38 years, as Vice Chair for Holyoke's Commission on Disability, and an activist for disability rights and the need for a more accessible, affordable, high quality healthcare system in this country that benefits practitioners and patients, I often start any testimony or public discussion with statistics on the rates of disability within already marginalized groups. That, of course, includes this one from the CDC, "AI/AN populations also face disability at a rate higher than other racial groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Native people overall are 50.3% more likely to have a disability, when compared to the national average. (Sep 6, 2023)" Sadly, this is a result of long term complex systemic racism. We cannot correct problems without first acknowledging that they exist.
I couldn't have said it better. Thank you for sharing this and advocating!
I’m currently reading “The cost of free land “ by Rebecca Clarren-- her Jewish immigrant ancestors were given land that was stolen from the Lakota people. Complex and heartbreaking:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647961/the-cost-of-free-land-by-rebecca-clarren/
Relatedly (kind of?), the older I get, the more the "acknowledgement of country" statements in programs and at the start of public events feel authentic and correct to me. We can be grateful, recognize the past can't be undone, but should be remembered.