Category: DEIB

Voting Impacts Health?

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Hi, it’s Dr. Curry-Winchell, aka Dr. BCW. Today, let’s delve into a topic often underestimated in its impact on our well-being: voting. Some of you are thinking, “Voting impacts health?” According to the CDC as much as 80% of our health is shaped by “social determinants of health”? These are often directly impacted by local and federal laws, health policies, minimum wages, and environmental protections that directly impact health outcomes. This is why voter registration is so important.
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2021/20_0569.htm

Your Vote, Your Health: Unveiling the Impact

Voting isn’t merely about selecting representatives. It is also about endorsing policies that greatly influence our collective and individual well-being. It’s about standing up for a healthier, more equitable environment that benefits everyone. Your vote can impact the health of your community through influence on social programs, environmental issues, and health regulations. Do not underestimate the power these factors have on your health and the health of your community. Also, The American Medical Association underscores the profound link between voting and health, recognizing that “voting is a social determinant of health and significantly contributes to the analyses of other social determinants of health.”
https://policysearch.ama-assn.org/policyfinder/detail/voting?uri=%2FAMADoc%2FHOD.xml-h-440.805.xml

Barriers and Disparities

Sadly, certain communities face barriers to voting. For instance, communities of color, young people, rural residents, and disabled Americans often encounter obstacles that hamper their access to the voting process. Of course, these very same groups are often disproportionately affected by health disparities. To help improve health equity, we need to enable those facing barriers to use their vote to express their wishes.

The Power of Change

One group working to help underrepresented individuals vote is Vot-ER (https://vot-er.org). Vote-ER is a nonprofit on a mission for nonpartisan civic engagement within healthcare settings. Founded by Dr. Alister Martin, an emergency room physician. Vot-ER empowers healthcare professionals, clinical students, and medical institutions to champion voter registration and civic participation among patients and local communities. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which empowered the DMV, also grants hospitals the authority to conduct nonpartisan voter registration. Like voter registration at the DMV, healthcare settings possess a unique platform to promote civic engagement. By donning a simple badge, healthcare providers signify their readiness to assist patients with voter registration right in the hospital or clinic.

Your Role

Above all, incorporating nonpartisan voter registration and education into healthcare settings enables patients to participate actively in their civic responsibilities, ultimately influencing health-oriented policies. Voter readiness isn’t a sporadic effort tied to high-profile elections; it’s an ongoing commitment. If you’re a medical provider, social worker, or student in the health field, I invite you to join me in this movement. Obtain your free badge at https://vot-er.org/badge.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional or a patient, your voice matters. Take a moment now to register to vote or verify your voter registration status by visiting: https://drbcw.com/vote

Closing

In conclusion, we can forge healthier communities through a more vibrant democracy. Let’s channel the power of voting to shape a better future for ourselves and future generations. Above all, let’s make a lasting impact on our health and our future through voting.

Stay informed and prioritize your health!

– Dr. Curry-Winchell (Dr. BCW)

 

Check out Dr. Curry-Winchell’s Beyond Clinical Walls video on this subject:

 

Maternal Mortality in Black Women

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Hi, It’s Dr. Curry-Winchell, Dr. BCW. In honor of Mother’s Day, I wanted to discuss maternal mortality in black women. Within this troubling reality of maternal mortality, a striking disparity exists. Black women, particularly in the United States, face a disproportionately higher risk of maternal death than their white counterparts. This fact demands attention and immediate action to address the systemic factors contributing to this tragic inequity.

The Stark Reality:

The statistics surrounding maternal mortality in black women are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Even in high-income brackets, well-educated black women face higher risks than their white counterparts with lower incomes and education levels. This glaring disparity persists across all age groups and income levels, underlining the deeply rooted structural issues.

Underlying Causes:

Access is often cited as the cause of many health-related disparities. However, given the findings that even economically fortunate and highly educated black women face a higher risk of death, this issue is not simply a matter of access. Several factors contribute to the elevated rates of maternal mortality among black women. First and foremost, racial bias within healthcare cannot be overlooked, and unconscious bias and racial stereotypes are undoubtedly a factor. These biases influence medical professionals’ decision-making resulting in poor health outcomes for black mothers. Studies show that black women often face inadequate medical care, misdiagnoses, and delays in treatment, leading to preventable deaths.

Do not fall into mental trap that this isn’t an issue any more. These biases are alive and well today.  Look at the 2016 study that showed that almost half of medical students surveyed believed that black patients had thicker skin and felt less pain than white patients.  Find the study here: https://www.aamc.org/news/how-we-fail-black-patients-pain

Social determinants of health can play a role. Economic disparities, limited access to quality healthcare, and higher rates of chronic diseases all contribute.

A Call for Action:

Addressing maternal mortality in black women requires everyone’s help, and we need to target both healthcare systems and social structures. Here are some steps that can help:

  1. Raising Awareness: Awareness of the disparities in maternal health outcomes among black women is crucial. Education and dialogue can foster empathy, drive change, and encourage action.
  2. Eliminating Racial Bias in Healthcare: Implementing training programs for healthcare professionals to recognize and combat racial bias is critical, as is dismantling structural racism within healthcare systems. 
  3. Investing in Community-Based Support: Establishing community-based programs that provide culturally competent care, support networks, and education can empower black women during pregnancy and childbirth. These initiatives can help bridge the gaps in healthcare access and provide vital resources.

Conclusion:

Maternal mortality in black women is a devastating and persistent crisis that needs our attention. The systemic factors contributing to this disparity must be acknowledged and addressed at all levels. By addressing racial bias within healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and investing in community-based support, we can move towards a society where every woman, regardless of race, receives the care and support she deserves during the miraculous journey of motherhood.

Stay informed and make well-informed decisions about your health and well-being.

– Dr. BCW (Dr. Curry-Winchell)

Under the Sisterhood Podcast with Dr. BCW

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Dr. Curry-Winchell, Dr. BCW, recently talked with Under the Sisterhood Podcast about her experience as a Black female physician.  Dr. BCW talks about race base medicine, professional challenges and her advocacy work to bring equity to the health care system.

Aired: March 10th

Under the Sisterhood Podcast with Dr. BCWCelebrating Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell during Women’s History Month a mother, daughter, sister, friend, children and women’s advocate, TEDx Speaker, Regional Clinical Director @ Carbon Health, Medical Correspondent and Saint Mary’s Urgent Care Medical Director & Physician.

Dr. Curry-Winchell obtained her medical degree at Ross University and completed her residency at the University of Nevada Reno Family Medicine, graduating in 2015.  Board-certified, she is currently a practicing physician, Medical Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity & Co-lead of DEIB for Carbon Health, she is also the Medical Director for Saint Mary’s Medical Group in Reno, NV, as well as the Medical Director for the Washoe County Sexual Assault Response Team and volunteers as an Assistant Medical Examiner for Washoe County Child Protective Services.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. BCW is a member of the Nevada Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians and a board member for the Washoe County Medical Society, Nevada State Medical Association, Centene Silver Summit, PBS, and University of Nevada Alumni.

Check out the Under the Sisterhood Podcast with Dr. BCW

Washoe County Medical Society President, Dr BCW

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Dr. Curry-Winchell, Dr. BCW, recently took over as the President of the Washoe County Medical Society.

Dr. BCW brings a wealth of experience and expertise in healthcare, community engagement, and health equity to the role of President.
As the Medical Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity, and Medical Director of Urgent Care Clinics at Carbon Health and Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, Dr. Curry-Winchell has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of her community. She is a native Nevadan and a graduate of the University of Nevada Family Medicine Residency in 2015.

Dr. BCW is also the founder of Beyond Clinical Walls. This regular series aims to provide health information on social media to help improve health literacy and reduce health inequities.  The medical director of the Washoe County Sexual Assault Response Team. She volunteers as an assistant medical examiner at Washoe County Child Protective Services, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Reno Mayor’s Task Force and Governor’s Medical Advisory Team. Dr. BCW co-chairs the Nevada State Medical Association Equity and Diversity Committee. She participates in speaking engagements providing information on health inequities and their impact on marginalized communities’ health and lives. She serves on Silver Summit Healthplan and the Community Health Alliance boards.

As the new President of the Washoe County Medical Society, Dr. Curry-Winchell will continue to advocate for healthcare equity and work towards improving healthcare access and outcomes for all community members. She and her husband enjoy life in Reno-Tahoe with their two young girls.
Congratulations to Dr. Curry-Winchell on her appointment as President.  The community looks forward to her leadership in advancing the society’s mission.

Dr. BCW – Washoe County Medical Society President

Challenges to becoming doctor can be overcome

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Dr. BCW, Dr. Curry-Winchell, discusses challenges of becoming a medical doctor, the importance of a support team & the role of representation.  Seeing others like yourself can provide the confidence that all the struggles and challenges can be overcome.

read the full Nevada Independent article here

Article Snippet:

Unfortunately, I had never seen any doctors that looked like me and struggled with doubt. When I shared my goals with people I would often hear, “just stay a PA,” “that’s a lot of school” and “are you sure you can do that.” This is why representation matters for African-Americans. We need to see more of ourselves and people who look like us in the profession to know that it is possible.

With the encouragement and support of my father, I was able to push those voices aside and pursued becoming a physician. I was also fortunate to have someone help me navigate the process of getting into medical school, which involved significant preplanning.

Establishing a network in advance to gain clinical hours and shadowing hours, understanding which courses to take and having help with preparing for the MCAT was critical. These steps can be barriers for African-Americans, as we often do not have access to robust networks or resources. It helps to have a mentor, someone to invest time in you. Most importantly, it helps you to not give up.

Learn more about the challenges to becoming a doctor from Dr. Curry-Winchell continue reading @ Nevada Independent.

Beyond Clinical Walls PODCAST

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Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, M.D. or Dr. BCW, is excited to announce the start of her new podcast Beyond Clinical Walls PODCAST.

Beyond Clinical Walls Podcast is a podcast started by Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, M.D., who also goes by Dr. BCW.

BCW Podcast is a platform to discuss health-related topics in an open forum to help improve health literacy, call out healthcare inequities and shine a light on race-based medicine and algorithms.Dr. BCW obtained her medical degree from Ross University in 2012 and completed her residency at the University of Nevada Reno Family Medicine in 2015. Dr. BCW is a board-certified family medicine physician, practicing & licensed in Nevada and California. She is the Medical Director of Community Engagement and Health Equity & Co-lead of DEIB for Carbon Health, and the Medical Director for Saint Mary’s Urgent Cares in Reno, Nevada. Dr. BCW is the Medical Director for the Washoe County Sexual Assault Response Team and volunteers as an Assistant Medical Examiner for Washoe County Child Protective Services.

Beyond Clinical Walls PODCAST is available on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio.