“Should I call a midwife or try and make it to the hospital?” “Can I afford to make it to my ultrasound appointment?” “Should I buy my prenatals or groceries this week?” These were among the many questions bouncing around … Read more

Introduction As the hidden support to our healthcare system, informal caregivers, specifically those who care for a spouse, parent, or other adult relative, make up an estimated 53 million adults in the United States[1]. Informal caregivers assist those with chronic … Read more

Introduction Religious beliefs are a crucial sociocultural factor that plays a role in the doctor-patient relationship. With religion being historically heavily intertwined with the medical field since 3000 BC, the interconnections of the two in the modern day are crucial … Read more

Physical location affects how and how much healthcare access individuals can get. The study of these location-based, geographic barriers, in our contemporary healthcare system reveals immensely important underlying structural challenges that hinder adequate care access. North Carolina has the second … Read more

The United States foreign-born population totals 46 million people, the largest globally. While 53% are naturalized citizens, the other nearly 47% hold a migrant status (1). While this number is the highest it has ever been, migration to the United … Read more

Introduction Starting in the 1990s (following the 1980s crack addiction), the use of opioid medications began to rise for reasons surrounding patient care.[1] The introduction of opioids as prescription drugs was well-intentioned and focused on relieving patients’ pain. Another intention … Read more

Introduction The rural South is home to a variety of cultural identities, all of which influence the ways in which southerners perceive and access healthcare. This essay touches on racial and ethnological cultural identities within the south which include, but … Read more

The patient-provider relationship in healthcare has evolved far from its initial paternalistic model. A “provider” refers to a medical professional who determines the course of care, but comes secondary to the “patient” in terms of patient needs and autonomy, as … Read more

Introduction Mistrust centered on healthcare professionals and the healthcare system as a whole is a social epidemic in rural healthcare communities. Rural mistrust of the healthcare system and physicians stems from a long, systemic assault on the integrity of rural … Read more

Introduction The rapid urbanization trends observed in recent decades have increased the gap between urban and rural communities, leaving rural communities behind in healthcare accessibility and technology. Rural communities see long distances to adequate care and limited access to personal … Read more