Montel Williams urges wider fight to eliminate health care disparities at UA forum
Longtime TV talk show host Montel Williams told a University of Akron audience Monday night that health care disparities are rooted in personal prejudices, and the gaps can only close if people become more open-minded.
"People don't want to understand people that are different; we need to figure out why," Williams told more than 100 students, faculty members and Akron residents at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
His address, “From Disparity to Parity: Combating Racial Inequities in Health Care,” was parted of UA's annual Rethinking Race: Black, Brown and Beyond forums.
Williams, also a health care advocate, author and entrepreneur, said his own extensive experience as a patient stretches as far back as his early childhood.
"I used to stay in the hospitals; when I was around 3 and 4 years old, I was hospitalized around 13 times. I do remember always getting some ice cream because that's what they gave you at hospitals," Williams said.
He also reflected on a life-altering moment from young adulthood, while he was serving in the U.S Marine Corps.
"I went in for an exam and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to get a double mastectomy," said Williams.
But it was discovered that he simply had a torn pectoral muscle, and it was not until afterward that he learned the surgery was completely unnecessary.
Years after the wrenching misdiagnosis, Williams learned that he had multiple sclerosis — a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.
Throughout his health journey and the personal problems he suffered along the way, Williams said, his eyes were opened to how disparities in care and treatment affected various communities. He said he resolved to always advocate for those who need a voice.
Williams urged audience members to join him in advocacy for what is right to help bring about more equitable health care systems.
About Rethinking Race at UA
The celebration of Rethinking Race will continue through Friday as part of Diversity Week at UA. The theme of this year's events is “Rethinking Race and Health Equity: Promoting Health and Care for All.”
UA’s Dimitria Gatzia and Sandie L. Crawford are the co-chairs of the Rethinking Race university-wide committee. Gatzia is a professor in the Department of Philosophy, as well as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Fellow for the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences. Crawford serves as director of the Office of Inclusion & Equity.