AdventHealth’s First Chief Health Equity Officer Talks Health Disparities, Equity and Vaccine Hesitancy

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Within the last 12 months, the intersection of a national health emergency with a sweeping social movement for racial equality has made the health and well-being of millions of America’s most vulnerable a central issue. Though health disparities have long been prevalent within the nation’s health care continuum, the COVID-19 pandemic has singlehandedly exacerbated a host of vulnerabilities, moving the pendulum from bad to worse, especially for minorities and underserved populations.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://spectrummagazine.org/node/11135

[Reader]

This First Chief Health Equity Officer disputes the notion that the COVID-19 vaccine is dangerous. Any pastor or other Adventist official disputing that the Covid Vaccine could be dangerous in some cases and disparaging others who are cautious and concerned about their own health in this regard- the question needs to be asked - what’s driving these officials. We keep hearing the mantra about vaccines are safe and this is just “science”. Yet, it is well known that the COVID -19 vaccine has contraindications. People who are allergic to the ingredients of these vaccines can’t take the vaccines - because the vaccines are “dangerous” to them. According to experts, people with autoimmune diseases should check with their doctors before getting the vaccine. If vaccines are per se safe, would their even be a concept of “vaccine injury”? The Chief Health Equity Officer seems to portray vulnerable communities as if they are unfounded in their hesitancy and not driven by “science” or better yet, Godliness. The only reason some appear to be so vested in pushing vaccines, is because this issue has become politicized and it’s a chance for them to say that their side is right. The Vaccine issue is just like other issues with the Adventist Church in “liberal” circles - such as Biden is good and we need to be satisfied with him - Afterall Bernie approves of him. This issue regarding vaccines is a serious issue of religious liberty and freedom of conscience and some are trying to take freedom of conscience, even with regard to one’s own health - away.

[vandieman (jeremy)]

actually, vaccines are how we’re going to turn the corner with covid…people who refuse vaccinations are not merely playing with their own health…they’re risking being spreaders for someone who may be more vulnerable…it’s the height of irresponsibility to think only of one’s self-perceived interest in the midst of a pandemic…

however, it is the case that effective treatments are available now, with more on the horizon…so if someone wants the freedom to be sick, and then scramble to a tax-funded hospital in order to save his or her life, i suppose this is now an option…but the fact still remains that someone else whom they may infect may not be so lucky…

as for biden, we do need to be satisfied with him…he’s a huge improvement over trump, who was and is in it for himself - no-one and nothing else…i think we can be thankful that his campaign of anti-democracy, facilitated by russia at every turn, has finally been interrupted…if only more republicans would have nothing to do with him, we’d all be better off…