This is Our Lane: Gun Violence Prevention
Karen Udoh and Caitlin Wessel

Schools, hospitals, movie theaters, workplaces, grocery stores, concerts, churches, neighborhoods…nowhere is safe from the increasing gun violence plaguing communities across the nation. In 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an estimated 45,222 firearm-related deaths in the United States, including homicide, suicide, unintentional injuries, and law enforcement-involved shootings³. These numbers continue to rise at record paces as we are now seeing gun violence as the leading cause of death among U.S. children and adolescents³. It is ever so apparent that gun violence is a public health crisis that can no longer be ignored. Click to read!

Legislative Advocacy: Meet the Supreme Court
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

The Supreme Court of the United States (often referred to by the acronym SCOTUS) leads the judicial branch of the federal government and is the highest judicial body in the country. Its main role is to be a guardian of the Constitution though hearing appeals cases and preventing laws that are unconstitutional. In doing so, the Supreme Court often decides on policies that affect the lives of millions of Americans.  Click to read!

Health Equity
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

In your medical practice, be it in the clinic, hospital, or emergency department, you may have noticed that some patients seem to be hospitalized more often or have a harder time managing their health. For example, some patients with diabetes have a harder time keeping their blood glucose under control than others, or some patients are more likely to have a heart attack than others.

You may have even noticed some patterns among these patients, such as patients from certain neighborhoods tend to be hospitalized more frequently for asthma.

When treating patients, you may wonder what can be done to better help these patients. While individual cases may vary, the answer often lies in working towards systemic changes to ensure health equity. Click to read!

Legislative Advocacy: Meet the Congress
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

The primary role of congress is to make new laws or change existing laws, many of which impact health either directly or indirectly. As physicians, it can often be helpful to speak with congress to share our expertise and provide insights on laws that will impact our patients.

For some, even thinking about speaking with congress can feel intimidating, especially if the role of congress is a vague memory from high school government class. This post will focus on federal congress, reviewing powers unique to each branch, leadership roles, and key differences in deliberating bills. Click to read!

Car Seats
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

The most dangerous thing children do as part of their daily lives is ride in a car. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of children over four in the United States, and more than 5,000 children die in motor vehicle crashes annually.¹,² For every fatality, approximately 18 children are hospitalized, and more than 400 receive medical treatment following a car accident.¹

Over the past 20 years the number of children who died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States declined by 55%.² Much of the improvement in childhood injuries and fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents has been attributed to increased attention to age-appropriate restraints and laws regarding their use.³ 

Restraint systems decrease injuries and fatalities through several mechanisms:³ Click to read!

Microaggressions
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

A female physician finishes a patient encounter, only to be asked when the doctor will be in. A black medical student enters a patient room, the patient asks why she didn’t arrive to empty the trash sooner. These are just two of many situations when people’s biases reveal themselves in a way that makes others feel uncomfortable and insulted, also known as a microaggression. Click to read!

Legislative Advocacy: Communicating With Congressmembers
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

Why State and Federal Advocacy Matters

Every day there are rules, regulations, laws, and programs that are being implemented or changed by government entities that effect our patients and the practice of medicine. As physicians, we have the unique opportunity to share our expertise and provide insight that would not otherwise be considered when creating these policies. Click to read!

Adverse Childhood Experiences
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

We frequently think of children as having the ability to bounce back from stressful situations. However, evidence shows that prolonged stress and trauma can interrupt healthy development and put children at risk for lifelong health complications. Click to read!

Shots, Shots, Shots… Or Not? Responding To Vaccine Hesitancy
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

Immunizations have made a significant impact on the health of our patients by decreasing the rate of vaccine preventable illnesses. However, increasing numbers of people are expressing concerns about vaccine safety, vaccine side effects, and the necessity of vaccines in general. For some, like pediatricians, discussing the importance of vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy has become a well-versed part of patient education. With the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations about vaccines are now something that providers in every specialty should consider incorporating into their patient encounters. Click to read!

HEADS UP ON HEAD PROTECTION: BICYCLE HELMETS
Dr. Stephanie Bland & Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

Summer is officially here and full of fun and games…until it isn’t! Biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, and a variety of other outdoor activities peak this time of year when school is out of session and the weather becomes warm. Kids will inevitably fall, tumble, and bump their heads…all part of learning and development. In fact, even the most experienced rider is at risk for a fall! Without a helmet these summertime fun activities pose serious danger for traumatic brain injury which can lead to permanent disability, coma, or even death. Click to read!

The Physician Advocate
Dr. Elizabeth Lehto

In today’s ever-changing political climate, the role of physicians as patient advocates is becoming ever more important. You may be thinking: What is advocacy? How can I do it? I want to help, but I just don’t have the time. If so, this is the place for you. Click to read!