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  • Correspondence
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Giving voice to Black women in science and medicine

Nature Medicine volume 27, pages 1316–1317 (2021)Cite this article

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To the Editor — Susan Moore was a well-regarded Black physician who contracted SARS-CoV-2 in 2020. During her hospitalization, Dr. Moore released a public video detailing concerns that she was receiving inequitable treatment for COVID-19, having her complaints of pain dismissed, and experiencing medical laxity from her hospital team1. Unfortunately, she was discharged home and eventually returned to a different emergency room 12 hours later, where she died from COVID-19. The pain mismanagement that Dr. Moore experienced is an example of the glaring treatment disparity experienced by Black patients2. Dr. Moore’s tragic death raised a heart-wrenching and disappointing thought among the authors of this Correspondence, all of whom are Black biomedical scientists and/or clinicians. If we cannot defend our own Black bodies, then what power do we truly have to push back against bias while defending our patients? The feeling that we are putting our lives on the line to still die disproportionately is a common sentiment among Black clinicians and trainees1. Dr. Moore’s story is a horrific reminder that despite our ability and efforts as clinicians and scientists to advocate for equitable healthcare, protection for our own Black bodies against unconscious bias, ignorance and racial bigotry is not guaranteed.

While the United States grappling with its systemic racism is framing the current social climate, the COVID-19 pandemic is accentuating racial disparities in healthcare. Therefore, it is imperative for the biomedical community to recognize the vulnerable position of Black women in medicine3. Chronic exposure to racism and unfair treatment contribute to physiological and psychological deterioration4, and Black women in science and healthcare must confront racism and sexism in society and at work. To bring visibility to the tangible impact that health inequity has on Black women in science and medicine, Eseosa Ighodaro (a physician-scientist and first author of this Correspondence) organized an online, public, expert panel discussion entitled ‘Tragedy: The Story of Dr. Susan Moore and Black Health Disparities’ (https://youtu.be/dkGkLVgDfnw)2. Panelists and audience members shared experiences unique to Black female clinicians and scientists from across a diverse span of career stages. This online event created opportunities for community building and social support among Black clinicians and scientists. Many participants shared stories about a family member or friend who fell victim to COVID-19 and health inequity.

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Acknowledgements

E.T.I. attests that all authors listed meet authorship criteria and that no others meeting the criteria have been omitted. This Correspondence is signed in an individual capacity. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of any organization we (the authors) are associated with or employed by. This Correspondence does not represent the official view of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the US National Institutes of Health, or any part of the US federal government. No official support or endorsement of this article by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or the US National Institutes of Health is intended or should be inferred. All authors have read the Nature Research Authorship Policy and confirm that this Correspondence complies.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Erica L. Littlejohn.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Eseosa T. Ighodaro

  2. Office of Global Health and Health Disparities, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Erica L. Littlejohn & Richard Benson

  3. Department of Emergency Medicine, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Adesuwa I. Akhetuamhen

Authors
  1. Eseosa T. Ighodaro
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  2. Erica L. Littlejohn
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  3. Adesuwa I. Akhetuamhen
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  4. Richard Benson
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Contributions

E.L.L., E.T.I. and A.I.A conceived of and drafted the manuscript; and all authors edited and revised the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eseosa T. Ighodaro.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ighodaro, E.T., Littlejohn, E.L., Akhetuamhen, A.I. et al. Giving voice to Black women in science and medicine. Nat Med 27, 1316–1317 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01438-y

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