As protests continue in America and around the world, George Floyd’s death has triggered a response from the medical community. Doctors’ groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians have responded with the message that racism is a public health issue and ‘police brutality must stop.’
In a recent Sermo poll, 70% of physicians said that both police violence and the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color have shed light on stark health disparities. And 72% believe that systemic violence requires a systemic response. When asked about their personal observations, 61% of physicians said they have seen first-hand that racism can have a negative impact on a patient’s health; and 33% have seen patients die due to racism—either directly or indirectly from health conditions brought on by racism.
According to CNN, Dr. Heather Gantzer, chair of the board of regents for the American College of Physicians said in the statement: “It is evident that African-Americans in particular are at risk of being subjected to discrimination and violence against them because of their race, endangering them and even costing them their lives. This should never be acceptable and those responsible must be held accountable.”
Here’s a snippet of what physicians are saying on Sermo:
