“Do No Harm” Oath Extends Beyond the Doctor’s Office

The National Hispanic Medical Association is a nonprofıt association dedicated to representing the interests of the 50,000+ practicing Hispanic physicians in the United States.

When we begin practicing medicine, physicians take an oath to “do no harm.” But how, in practice, do we carry out this fundamental duty when systemic barriers to healthcare may not be visible on the exam table?

As president and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association, I have seen fırsthand the disproportionate burden placed upon Hispanic/Latino people and other underserved groups when trying to access affordable and culturally competent healthcare. There is no single explanation for this, but rather a long history of systemic mistreatment and failings — whether it be concerns about immigration status, lack of health insurance or child care, unforgiving work schedules, or misinformation that flourishes unchecked through social media platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted those disparities even more: During the fırst four months of the pandemic in California, Latinos between the ages of 20-54 were dying at a rate eight times higher than white people in the same age group. It has also underscored the barriers to vaccine access and uptake among Hispanic people, with Hispanics having the lowest percentage of booster uptake among those eligible compared to all other racial/ethnic groups nationally.

As we pledge to “do no harm,” healthcare providers have an obligation to advocate for patients and change the unfair practices that permit a lower standard of care for underserved populations. Through the National Hispanic Medical Association’s Vaccinate For All campaign, we empower medical professionals and trusted community leaders with resources and knowledge to combat misinformation and improve vaccine accessibility and uptake through personal connections and community events. The care we provide should not just be accessible, but also high quality — and quality care is patient-centered care. It is our responsibility to continue breaking down barriers for a more equitable future.