Question

-Question-

Briefly explain the Tuskegee Study. Expound upon the expression "legacy of Tuskegee". What steps do you think the medical profession should take to reduce or even eliminate the healthcare gap? (length: 2-3 paragraphs)

Answer 1

The Tuskegee Study dates back to 1932, when the Public Health Service and Tuskejee Institute in an attempt to justify treatments for the blacks began to collect and record the natural history of syphilis, which is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on your genitals, rectum or mouth. It spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores. Initially it was called Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male

It all started with 600 black men out of which 399 were actual victims of syphilis and remaining 201 did not suffered from the disease. However the bone of content started when it was found that those who were treated were not even told that what disease they were given the treatment for, they were told that they are treated for bad blood which was a local term to describe several ailments like anemia, fatigue and syphilis. Later on when an enquiry committee was established it was revealed that people were not even prescribed with the requisite medicines and meals that they assured in the begining of the experiment.

The study lasted for around 40 years and from there emerged the phrase, legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis which is sometimes used to denote the belief that Blacks are more reluctant than Whites to participate in biomedical research studies because of the infamous study of syphilis in men run by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932-72.

As it is clear that the studies made in the Tuskegee Study were flawed and based on fake promises and commitments, this created a sense of alienation in the minds of the black population. In order to remove this stigma of not participating in any biomedical research among the blacks by the whites, i personally believe that the Government needs to intervene in such cases, like in this particular case only, the U.S. government promised to give lifetime medical benefits and burial services to all living participants. The Tuskegee Health Benefit Program (THBP) was established to provide these services. This was not only done to provide rehabilitation to the victims but also it lights up a ray of hope in the minds of people that atleast they can trust the government