Medical Racism and Vaccine Hesitancy in Black Communities

Dr. Elaine Bachelor discusses the challenges of vaccine hesitancy in the African American community, rooted in historical and ongoing healthcare disparities and racism. She shares personal experiences, including her mother's reluctance to get vaccinated, and highlights systemic issues like funding disparities and lack of diversity in the medical field. Dr. Bachelor emphasizes the need for community engagement, education, and policy changes to build trust and improve healthcare access for underserved communities.

What was a major reason for Dr. Bachelor's mother's reluctance to get vaccinated?

• Fear of needles

• Lack of access to vaccines

• Distrust in the healthcare system

• Belief that COVID-19 is not real

What was Dr. Bachelor's mother's concern about the COVID-19 vaccine?

• It was not effective

• It was too expensive

• It was different from what others received

• It was not available in her area

What is a significant factor contributing to healthcare disparities in low-income communities?

• High cost of living

• Overpopulation

• Lack of healthcare funding

• Excessive healthcare facilities

What is a consequence of Medicaid paying less for healthcare services compared to commercial insurance?

• Equal access to healthcare

• More healthcare providers in low-income areas

• Increased quality of care

• Disparities in healthcare access and outcomes

Why is there a low percentage of Black doctors in America?

• Lack of interest in medicine

• Underinvestment in education for low-income communities

• High competition in medical schools

• Preference for other professions

What is a proposed solution to address the underrepresentation of Black doctors?

• Limiting the number of medical schools

• Encouraging students to study abroad

• Increasing funding for students of color

• Reducing medical school requirements

What historical event is often cited as a root cause of distrust in the African American community towards the medical system?

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The Tuskegee Study

• The Great Depression

• The Harlem Renaissance

What did the Tuskegee study involve?

• Studying the effects of a new vaccine

• Providing free healthcare to African American men

• Deliberately not treating African American men with syphilis

• Treating African American men for syphilis

What approach does Dr. Bachelor suggest to increase vaccination rates in the Black community?

• Offering vaccines exclusively to healthcare workers

• Educating and making vaccines accessible in trusted community locations

• Providing vaccines only in hospitals

• Mandating vaccines without explanation

What societal lesson does Dr. Bachelor emphasize in the context of the pandemic?

• Healthcare is an individual responsibility

• Communities should be isolated

• We are all interconnected and must ensure everyone's health

• Only healthcare workers need to be healthy