TED Health A medical mythbuster's mission to improve health care | Joel Bervell
5 snips
Feb 18, 2025 
Joel Bervell, a TED Fellow and medical mythbuster, tackles health inequities and racial biases in healthcare through social media. He shares his journey as one of the few Black students in medical school and how it fueled his mission for change. The conversation dives into the historical roots of healthcare disparities and the need for systemic reform. Bervell also discusses his upcoming animated show, "The Doctor Is In," aimed at inspiring children of color to pursue careers in medicine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Grandma's Influence
- Joel Bervell's grandmother passed away from malaria due to lack of medical resources in rural Ghana.
- This early experience exposed him to health inequities on a global scale.
Pulse Oximeter Disparity
- During the pandemic, Bervell saw a study showing pulse oximeters are less accurate on darker skin.
- He posted about it on TikTok, which received feedback from medical professionals and patients alike.
Race-Based vs. Race-Conscious Medicine
- Race-based medicine uses race as a biological marker, leading to unequal care.
- Bervell advocates for race-conscious medicine, which considers social factors like redlining.
