Thread by @TamorahLewisMD

It's 2020.

Words matter.

I hope to use my privilege and platform to change the way we discuss health inequities (while I stand on the shoulders of giants who have been in the trenches of this work).

Following is a 🧵on #RacismNotRace

#MedCrit
#MedTwitter

In medicine, we must change our language when teaching students, discussing with colleagues and publishing about racial health disparities. The primary pivot is AWAY from pathologizing Black patients and TOWARDS pathologizing systems that hurt Black patients. 2/

For example,

Don't say "Black children are at risk for worse asthma outcomes."
Don't say "Black women have higher rates of preterm birth and perinatal mortality." 3/

Instead,

Say "Structural racism and systemic inequality in the US place Black children at risk for worse asthma outcomes."
Say "The cumulative effects of interpersonal, institutional and structural racism place Black mothers at risk for preterm birth and perinatal death." 4/

Immediately, you can feel a difference.

In the first case, a trainee / physician can see health disparities as a foregone conclusion. This language breeds apathy. From public policy to the bedside, the blame can be misplaced on the patient, their lifestyle, "genetics." 5/

In the second case, there is a clearly identified modifiable factor and an explicit call to action to, at a minimum, discuss racism further. It should give one pause. It should compel one to learn and read about the true roots of health inequity. 6/

This small change in language may seem inconsequential, but it can have a major impact in our thoughts and discussions.

Please, take a look at the language in your slides, your teaching chalk talks, your conversations during M&M.

Your patients' lives depend on it.