The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast

The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast

The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast

  • S2 Ep10: #21 Racism and Inequities in Addiction Medicine with Dr. Myra Mathis

S2 Ep10: #21 Racism and Inequities in Addiction Medicine with Dr. Myra Mathis

Thursday 7th September 2023

Dr. Myra Mathis discusses racism's impact on addiction medicine and shares steps for promoting equity in clinical practice on The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast.
46 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Hopeful
Compassionate
Transformative

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The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Racism and Addiction Medicine: Insights from Dr. Myra Mathis

Episode Overview

  • Understand the impact of racism and inequities in addiction medicine with Dr. Myra Mathis
  • Explore historical racialized US drug policies and their ongoing effects on patient care
  • Engage in anti-racism work in addiction medicine and advocacy for racial justice in policy-making
  • Implement a racial equity lens in clinical practices, emphasizing cultural humility and harm reduction
  • Discover foundational resources for understanding race and racism in medicine, including Kamara Jones' allegory and Dr. Ayanna Jordan's work with the Imani Breakthrough Project
In addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry, we've made some progress in terms of stigmatizing language in the media, but there's still more work to be done where we have journalists who are less likely to refer to patients or individuals as a drug addict, where we are using more person-first language, a person with a substance use disorder, that these changes are happening. - Dr. Myra Mathis
Imagine a world where healthcare isn't just about treating symptoms but also about addressing deep-rooted social injustices. That's the vision Dr. Myra Mathis brings to the table in this episode of The Curbsiders Addiction Medicine Podcast. Dr. Mathis, a respected voice in addiction medicine, dives into the complex interplay between racism and substance use disorders, shedding light on how racialized US drug policies and media portrayals continue to affect patients today. Dr.
Mathis takes listeners on a historical journey, discussing the War on Drugs, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, and the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. She explains how these policies have disproportionately impacted communities of color, leading to mass incarceration and ongoing health disparities. But it's not all doom and gloom; Dr. Mathis also shares actionable steps clinicians can take to promote equity in their practices.
One of the key takeaways from this episode is the importance of cultural humility and harm reduction. Dr. Mathis emphasizes that non-judgmental, patient-centric care is crucial for effective treatment. She also highlights the need for advocacy at the policy level, urging healthcare professionals to engage in anti-racism work actively. For those looking to dig deeper, Dr. Mathis recommends foundational resources like Kamara Jones' allegory 'The Gardener's Tale' and Dr. Ayanna Jordan's work with the Imani Breakthrough Project.
These resources offer valuable insights into understanding race in medicine and provide practical tools for implementing change. Whether you're a seasoned healthcare professional or just starting in the field, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the movement towards a more equitable healthcare system.