Empowering Health Equity: My Summer as an Underrepresented in Medicine Health Equity Intern
Following my first year at the University of Michigan Medical School, I had the absolute privilege of being one of the four Health Equity Interns in the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Underrepresented in Medicine Health Equity Internship Program.
Presenting my work on the Social Determinants of Health Screening Action Guide at the AAFP National Conference in Kansas City, MO.
Throughout the summer, I engaged in learning about policy and commission making in healthcare. From the start, I had the honor of attending the Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in Family Medicine, providing me an early vantage point to delve into health policy and witness the decision-making process shaping our healthcare landscape. Meeting leaders from around the nation and engaging with their expertise and perspectives on crucial issues left me enlightened.
One of the hallmarks of the internship program was the “Mentorship Mondays,” which afforded us the opportunity to meet and learn from Family Physicians from all around the country. It was amazing to meet inspirational physicians doing such diverse and impactful work. I left each meeting feeling empowered and inspired.
Additionally, to supplement our learning during the program, we were given a book called “The Political Determinants of Health” written by Daniel E. Dawes. This book was very insightful, providing an intricate dive into the forces and systems that have resulted in the disparities in health we see throughout history that are ever much present today. One of the major lessons I learned from reading this book, as well as our discussions with physicians, was the multitude of levels in which health disparities exist and conversely can be addressed. Starting from the individual patient encounter all the way to political structures, in order to properly address the health inequities we see today, we must have a comprehensive approach at all levels.
The core of the internship centered around developing action guides to improve the foundation of patient care and address social factors beyond the walls of the clinic. My role involved developing a guide to assist family physicians in identifying and addressing patients’ social needs. At first, I could not believe I would be working on such an important and impactful guide that would be used by family physicians across the entire country! I was equally excited and nervous to play such a pivotal role.
After a deep dive into the existing literature, it became apparent to me just how critical this guide will be. Did you know that clinical care is estimated to account for about 20% of health outcomes, whereas social determinants of health affect up to 50% of health outcomes (Hood CM)? The more I learned, the more I developed the guide by tailoring information to what seems to be most important for patients whose needs are not being met. Through introspection, I gained invaluable insights into my role as a future physician and what patient-centered care truly means.
Embarking on this uncharted process was inherently difficult, but I had the utmost privilege of being mentored by Dr. Margot Savoy. Our discussions and her unwavering support empowered me to visualize what I wanted the guide to be and the lasting impact I wanted to make. Her guidance encouraged us to take the lead and express our thoughts freely. This allowed me to write about my personal perspective on what is truly important to me and to the communities I deeply care about.
Photo Credit: American Academy of Family Physicians Instagram: (the_aafp)
In the midst of the program, I had the opportunity to travel to Kansas City, Missouri, and present an overview of the Social Determinants of Health Screening action guide at the AAFP National Conference! The conference was a transformative experience that opened my eyes to the critical work passionate individuals are doing across the world. I was able to attend discussions, listen to congressional reforms and network with peers from around the world. I could not help but feel a profound sense of purpose and commitment to my role in driving healthcare reform.
I am proud and honored to be a part of such an incredible and transformative program. I hope to take all the skills and knowledge I have gained thus far and use them throughout my career and to continue to be an agent of change.
References: Hood CM, Gennuso KP, Swain GR, Catlin BB. County Health Rankings: Relationships Between Determinant Factors and Health Outcomes. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Feb;50(2):129-35. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.08.024. Epub 2015 Oct 31. PMID: 26526164.
Mustapha Jaber is a rising second year Medical Student at the University of Michigan Medical School. He is the Co-founder of the Disabilities, Research, Education, Advocacy, Movement (DREAM), and is passionate about Health Equity. He enjoys all kinds of physical pursuits and is currently preparing for his first marathon!
