5 Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes to Inspire Better Healthcare

1. “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”

Minorities are less likely to receive preventative healthcare services when compared with white counterparts. Minorities generally wait longer for those services and the services rendered are lower quality. For many conditions, minorities experience worse health outcomes.¹ Health education allows for personal empowerment. Empowered patients can actively collaborate with their provider and achieve better health outcomes together. Sharing that knowledge can shift healthcare in an entire community.

In 2017 blacks represent 42% of new HIV diagnosis in Florida but make up only 16% of the population. Hispanics represent 31% of new HIV diagnosis but only 23% of the population.²
INSPIRING ACTION – Ask your provider for a HIV and STI screening. Get your friends to do the same.

These inequities don’t just affect the individual; they affect the entire health of our community. It reduces their quality of life, their families and those around them. It negatively impacts their work and ultimately what they are able to contribute to the economy and community as a whole.
INSPIRING ACTION – GO VOTE! In every election, especially the local ones! Get others to votes as well. Educate yourself about issues that are important to you and your healthcare.

2. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Eliminating these healthcare disparities will require all stakeholders. Healthcare providers like Orlando Immunology Center, policy makers, educators, community leaders, businesses, scientists, faith leaders and most importantly community members must all work collectively. There are a variety of social determinates that lead to these disparities and we must become a vocal system of change to address them.
INSPIRING ACTION – Do not be silent! Make your voice heard by writing/calling your elected officials. Make a list with the contact information of the elected officials that represent you. Include everyone from school board members, state representatives, your mayor up to the President. Use it.

3. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”

OIC is one of the industry leaders in innovative approaches to community engagement. Collaboration occurs at every level from industry leaders to the most marginalized populations. Our clinical research volunteers are truly reflective of our community, creating a national model for other facilities. Providers saw that patients had challenges with the healthcare system. OIC’s Community Relations Manager position was created to ensure patients could be easily linked to other resources in the community. Our Community Relations Manager also serves our community as the Chair for the Central Florida HIV Planning Council. CFHPC is an all volunteer community planning body. It’s responsible for planning HIV prevention and care for Central Florida’s 3.2 million residents.
INSPIRING ACTION – Start by getting involved with your local community, even if its just liking the CFHPC and OICorlando Facebook pages to stay up to date with all the latest info. Now go to an event!

4. “We must move beyond sending complaints to Washington and act directly”

What can you do to help? Get educated and get involved. It’s your health and your community!

1. Your Healthcare Team – Who’s on your healthcare team? Doctor(s), nurse, front desk team member, pharmacist and/or a case manager. All of them are working for you!
2. Write it down – Who did you speak with? About what? Your insurance? Ryan White? When? Write down questions for your provider and take them with you.
3. Get Organized – Write down the names, phone numbers and what each person does. Have a list of current medications.
   INSPIRING ACTION – Create a list of health professionals plus a reminder of what they do for you. “Dr. Susan Smith, Business Name, PrEP or leg”
4. Get Educated – Learn about your health. Ask your doctor for information, Click here for OIC’s helpful links:
   • Primary Care
   • Specialized Primary Care
   • PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) HIV Prevention
   • PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis)
   • HIV Treatment and Care
   • Routine STI Screenings
   • Hepatitis C
   • HPV
   • Clinical Research
   • Other Helpful links
5. Be Vocal – Ask providers questions until you fully understand. It’s your health!
6. Resources – Do you need community resources? Ask your doctor, OIC’s Community Relations Manager or case manager.
7. Act Directly – Now that you have it down, act directly in your community and volunteer!
8. Stay connected – Follow OIC on our social media channels to stay up to date! Click for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linked In.
   INSPIRING ACTION – Set your intention every day to read OIC’s and 1 other medical institutions feed. Stay connected and get educated. Discuss 5 Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes to Inspire Better Healthcare with a friend!

5. “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Inspiration without action is meaningless. Follow these quick tips to activate your inspiration and spread the message.

1. Check Medical Appointments – When was your last one? Your next one?
   INSPIRING ACTION – Log onto the patient portal and check. Don’t have an account? Log in and make sure you connect to “Orlando Immunology Center”. Need assistance? Just call and our Front Desk Team will be happy to help!
2. Call a friend – Call a friend and check on them. Ask how they are doing. Ask if they are taking care of their health or need assistance.
3. Get Social – Help educate your community by sharing health information on your social media channels from reputable sources like OIC.
   INSPIRING ACTION – Share one thing (staying fit article, a new study, etc., each week from OIC’s Facebook page and use the #OICorlando and #healthylifestyle
4. DO IT NOW! – Don’t wait…do something today to make you and your community a healthier place for everyone!

Sam Graper,
Community Relations Manager, Orlando Immunology Center

¹Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
²Florida Department of Health’s 2017 Annual Morbidity and Statics Report