My Friday Five series usually focuses on positive topics, ideas, and people, but sometimes something so unbelievable comes my way that I have to bring it to light. This week’s Friday Five includes one of the most disturbing and blatant examples of weight bias (and racism) that I’ve ever seen. Please remember: you have a voice and can be an advocate for change. With that, today’s Friday Five:
#1
Citizens Medical Center: Weight Discrimination
In my inbox today was a story about Citizens Medical Center’s no-hiring policy for the obese. Ironically enough, this was featured in Outpatient Surgery Magazine, who you may remember featured an extremely insulting “comedy” article about XXL patients (written by Dr. John Kelly, who later apologized for his lack of judgement and sensitivity in the article, although the magazine never apologized for publishing it). I am appalled by what I read.
The CEO has instituted a no-hiring policy for the obese because, as reported in the magazine:
The majority of our patients are over 65, and they have expectations that cannot be ignored in terms of personal appearance,” David Brown, head of Citizens Medical Center in Victoria, Texas, told the Texas Tribune. “We have the ability as an employer to have a policy that says what’s best for our business and for our patients.
Mr. Brown claims overweight workers are absent from work more often than their slim colleagues, although the hospital’s decision to pass on obese applicants isn’t based on health insurance premiums. The hiring policy, notes the report, points to physical appearance and the desire to promote overall health to patients as the hospital’s basis for omitting overweight applicants from consideration.”
The Rudd Center also reports:
“Turning down qualified job applicants because of their body weight is blatant discrimination, and prevents these applicants from making meaningful contributions to their community as competent health care professionals,” says Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Rudd Center Director of Research and Weight Stigma Initiatives. “The body weight of health professionals, like the general population, varies considerably. A health professional’s body weight is irrelevant in his or her ability to provide appropriate, sensitive, and evidence-based health care to patients.”
If you have been considering using your voice to end weight bias and discrimination, please join the cause now. This is not an isolated incident of weight bias and discrimination – it happens all the time. Need to start somewhere? Consider joining the Obesity Action Coalition and go to their GET INVOLVED page to find out how you can help.
#2
TheTurtleRiot – New YouTuber!
#3
H20 HOME – Yes, please!
From RealityPod:
An American Company builds these underground homes on Request. It’s like an underground Submarine made of Glass! Would you want a home like this?
I love anything in, on, or around the water. I’d live in one of these in a hot underwater second!
#4
Mega Millions Jackpot: $640 Million
The Washington Post reports that I have a better chance of dying by bee sting than winning the $640 Million Jackpot. I’m still buying a ticket – and staying away from bees.
#5
Introducing my new sponsor: Wellesse Bariatric Liquids!
If you are a pre-op or baby post-op, you definitely should check out Wellesse Liquid Bariatric Solutions. I am pretty selective about my sponsors, and I only showcase and feature products that I really like and stand behind. I had never tried these (I’m four years post-op and don’t have to worry about pills, etc), so they sent me out all of the products to try and I have to tell you: I LOVE them. I think they taste great and are PERFECT for little pouches that need their vitamins and supplements. I also want to buy a Snoopy Snow Cone machine just so I can make slushies with these, because I’m pretty sure they’d be AWESOME. I’ll be doing a giveaway on the radio show soon, so keep an eye on the Backstage Pass Radio Program page, and also check then out at www.wellesse.com!
Good news on the medical community front.. the nurses at my doctor’s office were going through mandatory training and I heard them reading it and talking about it.. and it was on how to better treat large patients, increased sensitivity, and care.. It is required of every employee including receptionists .. I was happy to hear it..
That is fantastic news! I hope that now that more and more medical community professionals will be doing the same. Bravo to your office!