Recently, the Association of American Medical Colleges released a new set of guidelines for practising diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Although this move has its detractors—claiming that medicine has become “woke”—the medical community sees it as a win. These new DEI guidelines aim to make medical care less discriminatory. Racial and ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ individuals are statistically more likely to remain sick and have worse health outcomes compared to white cisgender and heterosexual people, especially when the former is being treated by non-minority doctors. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
