Racial disparity in health care

Black people are dying from COVID-19 more than twice as frequently per capita as white people and, for the first time, major medical associations are acknowledging such disparities.

In fact, medical outcomes of Black patients treated by Black doctors are superior to Black patients receiving care from white doctors. One way to address that discrepancy is to support the #MoreBlackDoctors campaign. While 13% of the population is Black, only 5% of doctors are, and less than half are women. Let’s change this.

First, we need role models for the kids who are drawn to health care but don’t see anyone who looks like them in the role of doctor. Analogous to the Peace Corps, Dr. Oz started Health corps.org almost two decades ago to teach underserved teens about health and wellness using recent college grads as coordinators, many of whom are Black or Hispanic. When teenagers see people like them headed to medical school, their sense of opportunity broadens.

Second, we need more mentoring programs for aspiring Black scientists. “The Dr. Oz Show” is launching monthly Zoom seminars that aim to level the playing field by providing information that will help aspiring students of color discover opportunities and answer questions about how to negotiate the processes they need to go through.

Third, we need to financially support Black Americans interested in medical careers. The racial wealth gap limits the options of aspiring doctors, which is why some medical schools are now allowing students to graduate debt-free by increasing scholarship programs.

Finally, we need all patients to feel empowered to voice concerns. Health care improves for everyone when patients reveal the warts and inefficiencies in our system. This is especially true when we look at second opinions, which 18% of patients request, but which change treatment in a third of cases.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare. com.