Stigma & SCD
Category: Education – Health Equity- Diversity
Description: This powerful session explores the lived experiences of sickle cell warriors and their families as they navigate stigma, bias, and inconsistent care within the healthcare system—especially in emergency settings. Through raw personal stories and expert insight, panelists reveal how racism, misinformation, and dehumanization continue to shape the medical treatment of people living with sickle cell disease.
Learners will gain an unfiltered understanding of the barriers patients face, from delayed pain management to harmful assumptions rooted in racial bias. The conversation highlights the urgent need for better medical education, compassionate care practices, and stronger systems of accountability within healthcare institutions.
This course equips participants with practical strategies to improve patient experiences, empower families, and advocate effectively—from documenting ER visits to bringing support persons to appointments. It also challenges healthcare professionals to reflect on their role in dismantling stigma and to commit to culturally responsive, patient-centered care.
Key Learning Objectives:
- The harmful impact of stigma and racism in sickle cell disease care
- Challenges sickle cell warriors face in emergency departments
- The importance of compassionate and timely pain management
- How bias affects clinical decision-making and patient safety
- Strategies for empowering patients and families to advocate for better care
- Why improved education for healthcare professionals is essential
- The role of community, storytelling, and accountability in driving systemic change
