Dear #MedTwitter,
As physicians, we have a vested interest in public health. When we identify issues which directly affect our patients and increase morbidity and mortality, we speak up. We advocate for our patients.

Whether it’s the dangers of tobacco use, seat belts to decrease mortality from motor vehicle collisions, or gun violence, we speak up. We advocate.

Regardless of political ideology, when it comes to patient safety, we speak up. We advocate.

So why is it that when there’s a clear trend of police brutality against a specific patient population, our black patients, we do not speak up? We do not advocate?

This is a public health issue. The excessive use of force, putting weight on a person’s trachea until they’re dead, is a public health issue.

The systemic racism that puts black patient’s lives at risk is a public health issue.

I call on our professional organizations to speak on this and call it out for what it is.

Qaali Hussein, MD
Black woman
Mother of Black boys
Wife to Black man
Daughter of Black man and woman
Sister to Black men and women

#BlackLivesMatter