Medicine in the Black Community | Dr. Oscar J. Jackson

Medicine in the Black Community: Healthcare and Empowerment

By Dr. Oscar J. Jackson, M.D., FACS

As a long-term resident of Vallejo and San Francisco, California, I've consistently addressed the intersection of healthcare and systemic racism within the Black community. I have always believed that Black Americans, especially in underserved urban areas, should have greater control over their healthcare. To me, healthcare is crucial, but it has often been shaped by outside forces that lack cultural awareness of our unique needs.

My perspective on medicine results from my experiences with racism, economic disenfranchisement, and social inequality, which I consider primary contributors to the health disparities affecting Black communities. Racism in the medical field not only excludes Black professionals

but also leads to the mistreatment of Black patients. Addressing these issues, I believe, is a matter of social justice. Central to my philosophy is the belief that Black communities need more control over healthcare institutions. I see the reliance on charity-based clinics and hospitals as a result of systemic racism, with services often underfunded and staffed by people who lack an understanding of Black culture. I have long advocated for establishing community-run health programs, believing that Black individuals are more likely to trust healthcare systems run by people who share their experiences.

I've also pushed for greater representation of Black professionals on hospital boards and health committees. I have called for medical education to include cultural competency to ensure healthcare providers can meet the specific needs of Black patients, and I want to foster a new generation of medical professionals who can serve their communities effectively with culturally relevant, community-based healthcare solutions.

My efforts to improve living conditions and provide access to health education have aimed to break our communities' cycles of poverty and ill health. I've come to understand that the social determinants of health—mainly economic hardship, lack of education, and limited access to resources—contribute to poor health outcomes.

As a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, my philosophy has always been rooted in service to others. I've been deeply involved in the Omega Boys and Girls Club in Vallejo, helping it evolve into a cornerstone of youth development in the city. Through mentorship, tutoring, and community engagement, I've worked to ensure that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have the tools to succeed in all aspects of life.

In my later years, I've continued to mentor the next generation of medical professionals and community leaders and have strived to shape how healthcare is approached in Vallejo, San Francisco, and beyond. Hopefully, my vision of a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system will serve as a model for social change for years to come.