As we navigate the ongoing pandemic, many of us find ourselves contemplating the possibility of contracting COVID-19. For those who have experienced it, the narratives surrounding their care can vary significantly, from the availability of tests to the quality of treatment received.
In the early stages of the outbreak, from March to May, numerous patients were turned away due to a shortage of testing resources, often instructed to simply endure their symptoms. The guidance was clear: if your condition worsens, return for testing — a promise that fell flat for many, myself included. In March, I exhibited all the classic symptoms of COVID-19: a rising fever, persistent cough, chills, and body aches, compounded by my commute from Connecticut to New York City, a high-risk decision during that time. As I sat at home with my three children and a wife who worked as a hospital chaplain, the stakes were high. We faced the potential threat of infection if we didn’t adhere to strict quarantine protocols as advised by the ER doctor.
In that emergency room, I felt a mix of frustration, fear, and rejection as a Black woman being denied adequate care — possibly due to a lack of resources or the pervasive issue of racism in healthcare.
On December 20th, just days before Christmas, Dr. Lisa Greene passed away in an Indiana hospital, as she detailed in a now-famous Facebook video. Her tragic death highlighted a long-standing issue in the medical field: the tendency to dismiss the symptoms of Black individuals, particularly Black women. A general practitioner herself, Dr. Greene faced negligence from the medical staff at IU Health, as her pleas for pain management, diagnostic tests, and necessary transfers went ignored.
Racial bias in healthcare is a well-documented reality that many Black Americans endure, leading to needless suffering and, ultimately, death. Dr. Greene’s experience is a stark reminder that Black individuals often have to advocate for their own lives, even when facing life-threatening conditions.
According to a report by The New York Times titled “Bad Medicine: The Harm That Comes From Racism,” African-American patients frequently receive inferior healthcare services across various domains, including cancer treatment, prenatal care, and preventive services. This systemic devaluation of Black lives results in a higher likelihood of inadequate treatment and unwarranted medical interventions.
The phrase “I can’t breathe” has become an emblematic rallying cry for the Black community, igniting protests and calls for justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. Serena Williams echoed these words in 2017, advocating for maternal health after her own traumatic experience during childbirth, which led her to invest in a health tech company aimed at addressing the maternal mortality crisis among Black women (who are three times more likely to die during childbirth, according to a California study).
When such desperate cries for help go unheard, it breeds a culture of medical negligence rooted in bias. Dr. Greene’s passing underscores the harsh truth that our lives are often deemed unimportant, with our desperate pleas for assistance frequently ignored. Her son, only 19, now faces a future shaped by the loss of his mother, knowing that she may have had a better chance had her concerns been taken seriously.
Navigating a healthcare system that is often dismissive of our needs is an ongoing struggle. We deserve compassion and respect, especially when we are at our most vulnerable. The fear of receiving inadequate care is a reality that many Black individuals, including myself, grapple with daily. It’s a chilling thought to consider that educated professionals like Dr. Greene can still fall victim to systemic biases and fail to return home to their families.
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In summary, Dr. Greene’s tragic death serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change within our healthcare system. Her story reflects the broader challenges faced by countless Black individuals who find themselves fighting not only for their health but for recognition and dignity in a system that often overlooks them.