The contributions of Afro-Caribbean people to medicine are intricately woven into the fabric of modern healthcare – much as DNA provides the blueprint for all living organisms. However, as mutations in DNA can alter or erase critical sequences, the stories and achievements of Black individuals have often been overlooked, erased or distorted. What remains is an incomplete and fragmented sequence of medical history, one that fails to fully capture the milestones and barriers overcome by Black patients and professionals, and to acknowledge medicine’s true breadth of progress.
The theme of this year’s Black History Month – ‘reclaiming narratives’ – is a call to take control of the stories of Black history, and a reminder to take the time to honour our heroes and shine a light on the profound impact of Black individuals in healthcare and other fields. It is not just about filling in the gaps; it is about restoring the integrity of medicine’s DNA and recognising the immense contributions of Black people that have shaped modern medicine.
This requires more than passive reflection – it demands an active and sustained effort. The erasure of Black people’s contributions was not a mere oversight; it is often the result of active systemic efforts to suppress Black voices and diminish our achievements.
One important step is to give voice to untold stories, like that of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells – known as HeLa – were taken without her consent, and have since been vital to countless medical breakthroughs around the world. Her legacy and many others are often relegated to the footnotes, if mentioned at all, and act as a reminder of both the invaluable contributions of Black individuals to medicine and the injustices we have faced.
In acknowledging the contributions of Black people as architects and innovators in healthcare, we must also confront the systemic racism that led to harmful mutations in the system in the first place. These mutations have manifested as unethical exploitation and discriminatory practices: the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Study which exploited Black bodies for medical research; the dismissal of Black pain and suffering in clinical settings; the present-day maternal health crisis where Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts.
These disparities function much like a genetic disorder within the healthcare system, corrupting care pathways and leaving those from marginalised groups at the greatest risk of harm. To repair the mutations, we need to actively dismantle the biases and systemic barriers that have disproportionately impacted Black communities, to ensure we have a healthcare system that is fit for purpose and addresses the needs of all who access it.
As a GP, I have experienced healthcare inequalities from two perspectives: both as a clinician on the front line and as a patient. I have witnessed the disproportionate suffering of Black patients when attempting to navigate a system that fails them far too often. I have also faced this painful reality first-hand when my first pregnancy ended in loss, joining the countless Black women in the UK affected by the glaring disparities in maternal care.
It is experiences like mine, coupled with those of my patients, that fuel my determination to push for change. My story is far from unique, but by sharing it, I hope to humanise the statistics and bring attention to the urgent need for reform.
At the BMA, we have the responsibility to contribute to the accurate sequencing of these stories and ensure that the contributions of the Black community are recognised as essential nucleotides in the DNA of modern medicine. Much like gene therapy works to correct harmful mutations in DNA, this Black History Month, we must continue to seek ways to address and eliminate the structural inequalities that have long plagued our healthcare system.
The strength of healthcare lies in its diversity, with every story and contribution enriching the field. Reclaiming Black narratives is not merely an act of historical justice but a crucial step in building a truly inclusive and equitable healthcare system. Acknowledging past injustices and ongoing disparities is critical to developing systemic reforms, and ultimately a resilient and adaptable healthcare system capable of evolving to meet the needs of all communities, now and for future generations.
Julie Hammond is a salaried GP in Kent and member of the BMA equality, diversity and inclusion advisory group