Joe Cruz Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Once said, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane." Dr. King stated these words more than 50 years ago. You would think healthcare would be significantly better by now, but sadly it is not. Despite gaining their civil rights and advances in medical technology, minorities disproportionately suffer from adverse health conditions and inequalities in health care. With my degree in health sciences, I will prioritize people of color by fighting against racial disparities in healthcare and making healthcare more accessible. As an African American, I feel a sense of familiarity when I walk into a room and see someone that looks like me. Cultural familiarity allows people to connect and feel more comfortable based on shared backgrounds and experiences. So let us talk about why that is important in healthcare. Being open with your physician is essential; it allows them to understand your habits and health conditions. Opening up also builds trust between you and your physician, giving your physician a better opportunity to optimize your health. As an African American woman, I understand how important healthcare is for people of color, and I want to do everything I can to provide better healthcare within our community. Systemic racism and oppression have contributed to health disparities in the U.S. People of color have less access to good healthcare because of higher unemployment rates and lower representation in good-paying jobs. In addition, minority communities receive less commercial development, particularly hospitals, doctor's offices, and clinics. Lack of access to affordable insurance and medical facilities negatively affects the healthcare of people of color. African Americans are at higher risk for several health conditions and diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans have three times the morbidity rate for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes than white people. Also, although Black women have three times the maternal mortality rate of white women, 84% of these pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. As a future physician's assistant in obstetrics and gynecology, I can play a vital role in the education and care given to Black women before, during, and after pregnancy, saving lives and reducing health disparities. Culturally sensitive patient education and better-targeted health care can improve most African American health outcomes. As a result, I want to inspire my male and female peers and the younger generation to join the healthcare field. I also want to inspire people of color to make changes for themselves and make everyone around them aware of our health's importance. Everyone deserves excellent healthcare, no matter their race or income. Healthcare should be a fundamental human right. Through my degree and as a woman of color, I will help change those negative statistics so that people of color can lead healthy, productive lives.