Bias issues have been one of the main concerns for public health and health personnel’s over the last few years. Bias exist for people of certain color, people of certain ethnic backgrounds, based on income status, societal status, level of education and now becoming apparent in scientific researches too. Although scientific research should be an objective phenomenon, studies have shown that some of these researches can be tainted with much subjectivity if it is privately funded. Also, these bias is beginning to affect health outcomes in our society. Both (Nestle, 2016) and (Elizabeth, 2014) stresses the effect that these bias are having on people and gives solutions on how to overcome these bias either on the scientific level or medical level.
In the article, “Corporate Funding of Foods and Nutrition Research,” the author seems to suggest that industry funding into research by way of gifts and grants, influences its outcome. Although these outcomes may not be intentional, their bias may end in some measure influencing their results. Since many of these researchers are funded by private organizations, it is believed that many of these researches will be towards presenting results that are favorable to their funders. In the article, we can see a clear case of bias where coca cola funded a research to disprove the notion that there was nothing wrong with their sugary soft drink, rather the inactivity of its consumers resulting in their obesity. Typically, studies that are founded independently find a correlation between sugary drink and poor health but coca cola doesn’t. Another example is that of Monsanto, a multinational agricultural corporation who recruited professors to write and testify to congress on their behalf. These researches will undoubtedly have a clear bias towards their financers who have funded these projects. Because of this, it is felt that many of these researchers have sold out to these industries.
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Federal agencies have shifted their priorities from funding researches about food technology, nutrients and nutrients metabolism towards researches into obesity, genetics, chronic diseases etc. This has given rights to many non-governmental agencies allowing bias to seep into their research findings. These bias is as a result of the relationship existing between the financers, and the researchers whose business they depend on. Researchers are paid by these financers, therefore their results have to favor and align with their wishes. According to the author, he identified 76 researches that were industry funded. Out of the 76 researches, he found that 70 researches reported results that were favorable to the sponsor’s interest.
The second article titled: “Racial Discrimination Severely Undermines Black Women’s Health” sheds light on the discrimination and bias black women’s especially in the southern states encounter on a daily basis. These women’s are experiencing bias due to their lack of sexual and reproductive health education by their doctors. Over the last decades, there has been a huge disparity in sexual, reproductive and maternal health- mainly for Black Women living in the United States. Women are turning to their friends for help because they are met with stigmas about their sexual decision by health personnel. Many black women’s were actually lectured rather than receiving the help they needed. Some were met with stigma about not being able to make use of health information’s. The article shares the story of a black woman named Aaliyah who stated that her doctor had concluded that she could not use contraception effectively. One question that comes to mind is: Why black women’s? I will be answering this question shortly.
All these are as a result of racial and gender bias in health outcomes, mainly toward black women’s in the south and women in general. Social status, income, education etc. plays a very big role as to why these bias are happening. Higher income and higher social status are associated with good health. There seems to be a social construct around the idea that men tend to make more money than women. The greater the gap between income rates of men and women, the greater the differences in outcome would become. Lack of education also adds to why black women’s are victim of bias. Lack of education is linked with poor health. Doctors tend to take advantage of them by assuming they do not know how to use information or medications. According to the author, she suggested that these bias is as a result of political disinterest in helping the most vulnerable and unwillingness to address racial bias as a factor in health outcome. (Elizabeth, 2014).
In conclusion, bias is something our society tries to avoid. Just talking about these problems would not solve the problem, action needs to be taken. Both (Nestle, 2016) and (Elizabeth, 2014) addresses the issue of bias clouding the scientific field and the medical field. Both articles offers key actions that needs to be taken like governmental interventions, government agencies looking into areas of bias, requiring peer review for industry funded research, etc.
“The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks” By Rebecca Skloot
The book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, written by Rebecca Skloot, focuses on three parts: Life, Death, and Immortality. It is about an African American woman named Henrietta Lacks, who died from cervical cancer. Lacks was married to David Lacks and mother of five children. Before her death doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital collected samples of her cells without her or her family’s consent. The cells were obtained for the purpose of doing research and experiments. Cultured by Dr. George Gey, Lacks cells were soon discovered to be immortal becoming the first immortal cells named HeLa cells. Although, the discovery of HeLa made great contributions to science, one theme that was consistent in the book was racism and poverty.
The treatment that African Americans received back in the day was very limited and harsh. After Lacks diagnosis, it was necessary she received treatment for cancer. In order to received the treatment she had to go to John Hopkins Hospital since it was one of the hospitals that helped colored patients. “This was the era of Jim Crow, where black people showed up at white only hospitals, the staff was likely to send them away, even if it meant they might die in the parking lot” (Skloot, 2010, p. 15). Due to Lacks being poor, she did not received proper medical treatment for her cancer, and doctors felt justified to take tissue samples without her consent or knowledge. “Many scientists believed that since patients were treated for free in the public wards, it was fair to use them as research subjects as a form of payment” (Skloot, 2010, p.30).
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An experience I lived that relates to the reading is when my mother was unable to receive adequate medical care. Unfortunately, my mother had a heart attack and was unable to continue working. As a result, she lost her job and her medical insurance. Many times doctors would deny medical treatment to her because she was unable to pay for her care. She struggled to receive medication and keep up with follow up appointments. My mother had to look for clinics and hospitals within the her community, were treatment to Hispanics and low income families was offered. “She, like most black patients, only went to Hopkins when she thought she had no choice” (Skloot, 2010, p.16). This makes me wonder if the kind of medical treatment a patient gets is based the patient’s condition or it’s ethnicity? Although, nowadays the majority of patients are being treated based on their medical condition, we still continue to see patient’s not receiving care due to lack of health insurance. At the clinic where I take my children, there is a sign posted that states “Please provide staff with health insurance card or payment is due at time of service”. This is very discouraging to patients who do not have insurance due to low income or being unemployed. As a result, these patients do not get regular physical exams and are noncompliant with their health and medications.
In clinical I have experience situations in which patients who are insured by a private health insurance get better treatment than those who have public aid or Medicare. Usually patients who are insured, are kept at the hospital for a longer period of time regardless their condition. While uninsured patients are usually discharged within a couple of days due to nonpayment. Unfortunately, many of these people without health insurance are African Americans and Hispanics. Many blacks, like Lacks, received inferior treatment than whites due to their race and lack of money. “But several studies have shown that black patients were treated and hospitalized at later stages of their illnesses than white patients. And once hospitalized, they got fewer pain medications, and had higher mortality rates”, Skloot, 2010, p.64). At one point, I asked myself, what would I do if I had no health insurance for my children and I? I believe that I would of done the same thing Henrietta did, go to the nearest hospital that would provide care for my children and I. I would also, look for resources or facilities that provide health care insurance at an affordable price. It is very difficult situation when you find yourself sick and with no health insurance. I have lived it with my parents and have seen how much they have struggled.
In class, I have learned that medical treatment should be provided to every individual regardless if they are insured or uninsured. Medical treatment should not be neglected to patients based on their race, religion, and gender. Patients should be treated with equality and respect. Informed consents should also be provided to patients when seeking medical care and no doctor should perform any treatment or procedure without the patient’s consent. Many patients, including myself, when looking for medical treatment we tend to trust our doctors and expect the best care. I know that I would feel betrayed and violated if I ever had tissues removed without a consent or if the expected care wasn’t received. If our mother is so important to science, why can’t we get health insurance?” (Skloot, 2010, p.168). Nowadays, it is expected that every person living in the United States should have health insurance, either through their employer or by purchasing a healthcare plan. Patients must also be provided with informed consents and doctors are entitled to explain to the them the risks and benefits of such treatment.
In conclusion, in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, we learned about an African American woman named Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were removed without her consent. Although, her cells brought new discoveries to science, throughout her life we constantly see issues regarding ethics, racism, and poverty. These issues continue to exist in today’s world and It is our responsibility as health care professionals to respect, informed, and provide the best care that we can to every patient regardless of where they come from.
