Hearing Loss Stigma: Why Many Adults Avoid Hearing Aids and Suffer Silently
Introduction Hearing loss is a common yet often hidden challenge affecting millions of adults worldwide. Despite modern hearing aids being more discreet and effective than ever, many who struggle to hear refrain from seeking help or wearing assistive devices. Stigma—fueled...
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Dental Care Inequity: The Forgotten Health Crisis of Poor Dental Access
Introduction When people think of critical health crises, oral health often ranks low on the list. Yet dental care inequity is a major public health concern, with many low-income families, rural residents, and marginalized groups struggling to see a dentist....
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Mental Health in Refugees: Trauma and Recovery in Displaced Populations
Introduction Refugees flee violence, persecution, or disaster, often enduring abrupt uprooting from their homeland. This sudden displacement, along with the perils of escape, can profoundly affect mental health. Beyond the immediate challenges—like securing shelter or food—refugees confront trauma from witnessing...
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The “Yentl Syndrome”: How Women’s Heart Attacks Are Often Missed
Introduction In the 1980s, cardiologist Dr. Bernadine Healy coined the term “Yentl Syndrome” to describe a troubling phenomenon: women were more likely to receive suboptimal or delayed care for heart conditions because medical practice traditionally centered on male-based research and...
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Maternal Mortality in the US: Why One of the Richest Nations Has High Rates
Introduction In global comparisons, the United States stands out for its advanced medical technology and substantial healthcare spending. Yet, this apparent advantage contrasts starkly with a sobering statistic: the US has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income...
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Period Poverty Worldwide: The Global Fight for Menstrual Health Equity
Introduction For countless women and girls, menstruation isn’t simply a monthly biological event—it’s also a source of financial and logistical strain, known as period poverty. Many face inadequate access to sanitary products, facilities, or education, resulting in missed school days,...
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Toilet Access and Health: How Lack of Sanitation Causes Disease
Introduction Billions of people worldwide live without access to safe toilets, leading to serious public health concerns. Poor sanitation lets harmful pathogens contaminate water sources and surfaces, causing diarrhea, cholera, and countless other preventable illnesses. Additionally, people forced to defecate...
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Ableism in Healthcare: How Bias Against Disabled Patients Can Be Life-Threatening
Introduction The term ableism describes prejudice or discrimination in favor of nondisabled people, often manifesting as stereotypes, lack of accommodations, or disregard for the experiences of disabled individuals. In healthcare contexts, ableism can have dire repercussions: missed diagnoses, delayed treatment,...
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Medical Gaslighting: When Doctors Dismiss Your Symptoms Unfairly
Introduction Many patients leave doctor appointments feeling unheard or brushed off. If you’ve ever been told “it’s all in your head,” or “nothing’s wrong” despite experiencing persistent symptoms, you might have experienced medical gaslighting. The term refers to a situation...
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Language Barriers in Healthcare: The Risks of Not Having a Translator
Introduction In a diverse and multicultural society, medical staff encounter patients who do not speak the predominant language, or speak it only minimally. When health information and care instructions are lost in translation—or not translated at all—patients face misdiagnoses, improper...
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