Posted on 03/13/2018 6:04:53 PM PDT by EdnaMode
n a new interview, Serena Williams spoke about how her pregnancy complications made her more cognizant of the problems black women encounter within the U.S. health care system.
Speaking to BBC, the tennis superstar said it "may be time for women to be comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations," as "doctors aren't listening to us."
Pointing out that she was "in a really fortunate situation," since she had a "wonderful, wonderful doctor" and knows her body so well, Williams lamented the fact that most black people aren't in the same position. As previously detailed, Williams, who has a history of blood clots, had gone without her usual daily medication during the birth of her daughter, Alexis Olympia. While recovering from her C-section, Williams began suspecting she had a blood clot in her lungs. The nurses, however, dismissed her initial CT scan request and performed an ultrasound instead. After Williams insisted on sending for a CT scan, it was found that she did, in fact, have clots.
"There are some things we are genetically pre-disposed to that some people aren't. So knowing that going in, or some doctors not caring as much for us, is heartbreaking," she said. "Because of what I went through, it would be really difficult if I didn't have the healthcare that I have—and to imagine all the other women that do go through that without the same healthcare, without the same response, it's upsetting."
Williams also said it may be time for black women to "get feisty," saying, "I think it's important to speak up loud and clear and say: 'No, this isn't right. Treat me the same way that you're treating...' How am I going to explain to my son that he is getting more? How am I going to explain to my daughter that she is getting less than my son? To me it's impossible to explain this."
And she has a point. "The risk of pregnancy-related deaths for black women is 3 to 4 times higher than those of white women," a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated. And per a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, there is indeed an unconscious bias amongst health professionals, as they "were less likely to refer women and black patients for cardiac catheterizations, compared with white male patients."
“I think there’s a lot of pre-judging, absolutely, that definitely goes on,” Williams told the BBC. “And it needs to be spoken about, it needs to be addressed.”
That ain’t about racism. It’s about having a patient trying to tell you how to do your job. CT scans ain’t first on the list
If doctors are not listening to sarina, its because of her B.O.
Based on my experience with my black friends, they have always been "feisty".
So my conclusion is that this nitwit wants them to get guns and knives and start killing whites...
Imagine Serena you were a patient in the perfect world of Bernie Sanders socialized medicine. No CT scan for you according to government bean counters and if by pulling political strings you got a CT scan authorized, expect to wait mpnths. No with you money you would be treated in a private clinic in Zurich while your Black sisters would be waiting in line for care at a cheesy government clinic
She’s an imbecile. How about using your millions to start up your own hospital you stupid cow
As previously detailed, Williams, who has a history of blood clots,
At what point will people tell these whining idiot to take their race cards and shove them up their butts?
They did an ultrasound and did not find anything. I asked if they could do a CAT. They told me no, that it was just a belly ache. This was while he was shaking so badly you could hear his gurney rattling in the hall.
Medical personal do not like to be told what to do.
But if you insist they will usually give in.
Which they did.
Oh, that belly ache?
Appendicitis. Which burst as they were bagging it.
It was not your color but that they do not like to be questioned. Sometimes you have to push.
After not having slept in 36 hours and seeing my husband in such pain I was in the mood to push.
Just because Serena knows tennis doesn't mean she know medicine, or fashion.
through the years both Serena and Venus have pretty much stayed away from politics and only a little racism. (Its called endorsements, advertising etc). Just recently I have noticed Serena has gotten far more vocal, hanging with Michelle Obama, Beyoncé,I suspect her retirement is close and she can finally start using her race card.
Yes, she is exactly as sexy as that fashion model Michelle O.
What a crock. I know LOTS of people of all races who have to fight their doctors and insurance companies to get the correct diagnostic and treatment work done. It’s happened to me recently — nobody is going to be as big an advocate for your health as you are. It’s that simple.
In the era of medical websites, many patients (rightly or wrongly) have preconceived notions of what is wrong with them.
Yeah exactly.
Yup, good points.
I call steroid abuse in women’s tennis heartbreaking. :)
If she thinks doctors listen to white women, she is dreaming.
If a doctor screws up a diagnosis for a white guy, well, doctors are people and people screw up. If he screws it up for a black woman, it is racism.
These people are their own worst enemy. Rather than actually trying to understand anything, they just reflexively cite racism for everything, from rain to nearsightedness.
You’d be surprised at what goes on in hospitals. Not a lot of it good I can tell you.
White doctors? Lady, what are you talking about? I’ve worked in a number of hospitals and I’m working in one now. White doctors are as rare as a blue moon and even if they won’t what you’re putting out is racist bs.
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