Be the Change

We kneel for our patients, colleagues, family, friends and the entire community.

As we meet via Zoom during these difficult times of the Covid Pandemic, we at Velez Family Health, felt we also needed to honor those that have paved the way for us. As a physician, that is also female and hispanic, this is something that is very close to my heart. As an Integrative Family Medicine physician, I understand that there are many factors at play that influence our health. We are taught to play detective and find the root cause of illness. This is easier said than done

“Racism as a social condition is a fundamental cause of health and illness … [and] a social determinant of health that perpetuates and exacerbates the very trends our field works to reverse. Health disparities, discrimination, and residential segregation, which are topics familiar to public health researchers, are byproducts of racism.”

As a LatinX female, I appreciate all those of color that have struggled and fought the system, in order for us all to enjoy certain freedoms and protections today. We still have a long way to go.

I admire the peaceful protestors that are out there doing the hard work. I admire the people of all races, religions, genders, that are working together in this cause. This is not about one incident, or one race. This is about social injustices, health disparities, and inequities that are ingrained in our country as far back as we can see in history. People banding together and taking to the streets has been what has made a difference throughout history and raised awareness for new legislation to come about to protect our rights. I encourage you to examine the mundane routine privileges you enjoy on a daily basis that you may take for granted, and take a look at history. For somewhere in the history, someone fought for you to have that right. I also urge you to exercise those rights that were bestowed on you by our predecessors, such as the right to vote.

We also have to take into account the overlapping of two Public Health crises. We are still in the middle of a pandemic. Covid19 has disproportionately affected communities of color. I urge you to protect yourself and those around you. Please wear a mask in public, especially when you are unable to socially distance.

Be kind to each other. Listen to each other. Learn from each other.

Article cited: https://ph.ucla.edu/news/magazine/2015/autumnwinter/article/black-lives-matter-public-health-issue

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