Ben Kazie MD

Discrimination takes many forms.  At it’s most basic, it is an expression of preference, for one thing over another, for one idea over another, for one person over another.  At it’s worst, it is horrid example of human emotion gone terribly wrong. Despite the great progress in understanding and compassion we have all made in many areas, some still are lacking.  In many ways, physicians and other health providers have often led the way by treating patients as human beings first.  Despite this, physicians, nurses and other health care providers and workers are human (not all robots just yet) and as humans, they are all subject to the same failings we share as a frail species.  Prejudice against a disease is one thing, prejudice against the bearer of that disease is another.  All health care providers must be on guard and examine their known feelings, biases and prejudices and work to dispel them, or at the very least, control them.  Those seeking help come to  physicians for care, compassion, diagnosis and treatment.  Attitudes of providers should never be the impediment to that treatment.  The Biblical proverb says it best – physician, heal thyself! . . . ben kazie md

Weight Bias in Healthcare: An Important Clinical Concern

Despite increased attention to the obesity epidemic, little has been done to address the bias, prejudice, and discrimination that obese children and adults face every day. Weight bias is prevalent in our society, but it often goes unnoticed and ignored. As a result, overweight and obese individuals face discrimination in employment, barriers in education, stereotypes in the media, stigma in interpersonal relationships, and even bias from healthcare providers. This unfair treatment reduces quality of life for obese persons and jeopardizes their emotional and physical health.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/701809?src=mp&spon=21&uac=26695MY

http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/

Ounces of Prevention — The Public Policy Case for Taxes -http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/industry/SodaTaxNEJMApr09.pdf

Weight Bias in Health Carehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZLzHFgE0AQ

Luke 4:23 (New American Standard Bible) -http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%204:23;&version=49;

www.condron.us