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To the editor;
The article titled "Lice infestation causing severe anemia in a 4-year-old child" explores a case in which social determinants of health and health inequity produce severe illness in a child. However, rather than highlighting these factors the article propagates stigma that is in direct contradiction to the principles of the CFPC, namely “family physicians are cognizant of the power imbalance between doctors and patients and the potential for abuse of this power.”
The 4-year-old patient is noted to be First Nations and living on reserve with her family (p473). She was transferred to an urban care centre for treatment. The article notes concern for neglect given the extent of the lice infestation, for which providers contacted child protection services. It is noted that the “family complied with social services, who conducted an extensive review including home visits in conjunction with the local Aboriginal liaison team” (p474). Despite this “extensive review” the team fails to acknowledge the inequities in the social determinants of health contributing to this case and instead places emphasis on the possibility of parental neglect. Furthermore, the voices of neither the parents nor the child are represented in the piece. Failure to adequately contextualize this case perpetuates societal stigma against Indigenous Peoples.
When we, as health care providers, present research regarding Indigenous patients and frame them within len...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.