Racial Bias in Sickle Cell Treatment (Part 1)

Part 1- (25:44)

Part one of this conversation uncovers the layered realities of living with sickle cell disease, tracing how racial bias and long-standing healthcare disparities shape the care patients receive. Dr. Marcia Treadwell highlights the necessity of viewing sickle cell disease through a truly holistic lens—one that acknowledges the emotional, physical, and systemic pressures patients face. She examines the persistent challenges in pain management, the influence of implicit bias on clinical decision-making, and the urgent need for care models rooted in cultural humility and anti-racism. Together, these insights point toward a more patient-centered approach capable of improving both trust and treatment outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease.