Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker speaks to the social determinants of health that are coming to light in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic causing so many racial and ethnic minority groups to be more susceptible to getting the virus.

OMAHA, NE – August 31, 2020 – Dr. Seun Adetayo, renowned plastic surgeon, author, and inspiring speaker, has posted a new article on her website entitled, “Urgent Need For Equity And Equality For Patients And Professionals In Health Care.” Dr. Adetayo is working diligently to bring greater awareness to the inequities that exist in both the patient and professional areas of the health care profession

Dr. Adetayo states, “We are experiencing a health crisis like none we have faced in our lifetimes. A global pandemic has taken the world by surprise. And, in the U.S., statistics show that the pandemic has hit the African American, Latino, and other ethnic minority communities even harder.” She continues, “Racial, gender, and ethnic disparities have created a massive gap in health care access, and health care educational opportunities available to these groups.”

Dr. Adetayo points out that, “According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. The term racial and ethnic minority groups include people of color with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Certain experiences are common to many individuals within these groups, and social determinants of health (SDOH), which have historically prevented them from having fair opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional health.”

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html

“What are these “social determinants of health?, you may ask,” writes Dr. Adetayo, adding, “Let’s start with the basics.” She continues, “Well, these are other variables that are not directly a health factor like your blood pressure or heart rate – but these “non-health” variables affect health nonetheless. Dr. Adetayo explains, “Some examples of social determinants of health include access to healthy food, safe living environments, and quality education.”  She adds, “Lack of access to such amenities can impact your health negatively, even though these are not typically considered primary health factors that can be measured directly in your doctor’s office.”

As Dr. Adetayo goes on to say, “Poverty has been commonly found, though not always, to be at the root of many of the inequities and inequalities.” She elaborates, “Poverty prevents people from having access to good and healthy foods because they are often absent in these communities, and when they are present, it is often unaffordable.”

 

The entire article can be read at http://seunadetayo.com/2020/08/26/urgent-need-for-equity-and-equality-for-patients-and-professionals-in-health-care/

 

About Dr. Adetayo

Dr. Seun Adetayo currently practices in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon and a Diplomat of the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  She is a Professor of Surgery, and Chief of Pediatric Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Adetayo is unique in her field. As a gifted surgeon operating in a competitive field, Dr. Adetayo is also the first foreign-born (Nigerian) female minority surgeon to have built a successful nationally accredited multidisciplinary program for children with birth defects in Northeastern New York. She continued in this trajectory of helping patients and families as she now heads the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery where she serves as the Chief at the Children’s Hospital.  Her journey has been dedicated to caring for patients and their families; mentorship for students, residents, and faculty; advocacy for legislation at local and national level; research; education; and community engagement and leadership. She shares her journey and strategies for success via her print material, meeting panels, blogs and speaking engagements.

Dr. Adetayo has authored several book chapters in leading texts, including the second edition of Comprehensive Cleft Care which is an authoritative text volume on cleft and craniofacial disorders and treatment.  She also authored a chapter in the Family Companion Guide for educating patients and families with cleft and craniofacial diagnoses. She was also the author of the chapter on treatment of zygoma fractures in the text Operative Techniques in Plastic Surgery.

She has received over 40 awards and recognition, and her work has resulted in over 50 published works and over 60 presented works at regional, national, and international meetings. She is published in peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, Annals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, and Journal of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics.

Dr. Adetayo plays an important role in mentoring and education in surgery, healthcare, and professional circles. She served as an invited surgeon and surgical educator during her last mission trip to Zimbabwe, where she served as the lead surgeon and guest lecturer for various hands-on plastic surgical reconstructions and teaching sessions. She is active in Women In Leadership lectures and advocacy. She served as a speaker for the Synthes collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Company on Improving Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare, and was one of four selected panelist speakers on Pioneering Women in Reconstructive Surgery International Program by L’Oreal in conjunction with Resurge International. She was an invited speaker at the 2019 Healthcare Finance Management Association (HFMA) annual Women In Leadership Conference in upstate New York. In January 2020, she served as the Keynote Speaker for the Stryker Women’s Network National Conference National Women in Surgery and Leadership event in California.

Dr. Adetayo has served in various community leadership positions including Chairperson of the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Co-President of the Phi Delta Epsilon Premedical Society, Co-President of the Pritzker REMEDY Cuba Medical Aid Mission, Coordinator of the Chicago Local Chapter of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) program for inner city Chicago school kids. She currently serves as Managing Editor and Co-Chair of the Learning Resource Committee of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA).

She has been involved in various medical education and surgical trips to several countries including Cuba, Haiti, Nigeria, Peru, and Zimbabwe as educator and surgeon.  She was awarded a Diploma of Honor conferred by the President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru.  She collaborates on meaningful initiatives with various international organizations including Rotary International and The Smile Train on improving surgical outcomes, healthcare delivery, patient safety, and quality control standards in surgical reconstruction. She continues to be active in advocacy and philanthropic efforts in developing children and advancing communities.

Contact: [email protected]

 

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