On May 25, 2020, a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Even after no pulse could be detected, the officer continued kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck for more than two additional minutes. This tragic death joined a long list of black Americans who have been disproportionately killed by police, including those that have made the news like Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others who haven’t. Helping us to understand the health impact policing has on people of color and their communities is Dr. Frank Edwards, a Sociologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Criminology at Rutgers University.

Toxic metals, sometimes called heavy metals, include mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other metals that are naturally occurring in the earth’s crust. They’ve been used by humans for thousands of years and are the oldest toxins known. Metal toxicity—especially from heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, arsenic and lead–affects all organ systems and can result in wide-ranging and nonspecific symptoms; however, the central nervous system (CNS) is especially susceptible to damage from metals. But they don’t just affect your central nervous system. Toxic metals are systemic toxins that in high enough amounts damage your kidneys, blood, brain, bones, and other organs.

Relationships are determined by our preconceived notions, our prejudices, and the words we use to communicate. Often the difference between excellent and horrible care, and even whether it’s safe, comes down to how doctors and patients view and talk to each other. As is often the case, challenges in communication are greatest when the two people come from different backgrounds or when their life experiences are so different that it’s challenging for the healthcare provider to empathize. This is the case in the LGBTQ community, which is not well represented in medicine or medical education. Carey Candrian, PhD discusses how this plays out in the clinic, especially when it comes to the LGBTQ community and end of life care, and what you can do to make sure you’re getting the best possible care no matter the community with which you identify.