< Previous20 | Black History Month | 2021 By MYER LEE The Daily News African Americans don’t appear to have much faith in the health care system. Only 6 of 10 Black adults said they trust doctors to do what’s right most of the time compared with 8 of 10 white people; 7 of 10 Black people said the health care system treats people unfairly based on race “very often” or somewhat often” com- pared with the 6 in 10 Black adults asked a similar question in 1999, according to a 2020 poll by nonprofit health or- ganization Kaiser Family Foundation and news site The Undefeated. A long history of racism in health care could be lingering and influence the Black com- munity’s distrust for the health care system. It’s a problem local leaders have long tried to counter. In the early 20th centu- ry, John Henry Clouser, a community leader and civil rights activist who lived from 1899-1987, started a Black Health Parade to help ease fear and distrust of doctors and hospitals among Black residents. Educator John Clouser and his or- ganization, the Volunteer Health League, would organize the parade — along with lectures and exhibits — during National Negro Health Week to promote nutri- tion and exercise and strengthen Black peo- ple’s trust in health care. National Negro Health Week ran from 1915 to 1951. Galveston’s Black Health Parade, National Negro Health Week or any other initiative that targets improving mi- nority health could be a good way to strengthen African Americans’ faith in health care, said Wen- dy Langham, a retired nurse of over 37 years. There should be more programs like St. Vincent’s Clinic, 2817 Postoffice St., or Part- ners in Pink: Galveston County Breast Cancer Coalition, that provide quality healthcare to underserved and under- insured populations of Galveston, Langham said. About 3.9 million non- elderly African Ameri- cans were uninsured in 2019, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. The lack of insurance and the cost of care hinder Black people from going to the doctor, said Langham, who is African Ameri- can. Black people also don’t see enough Black doctors in healthcare, she said. “We’re afraid they’re not going to treat us as good as they treat someone else,” she said, to referring health care providers of other races. African American phy- sicians were practicing in Galveston during the early 20th century, according to the Galveston and Texas History Center. Many of their practices were along Postoffice or Market streets. Wilina Gatson, who was the first Black Black health initiatives improved African-Americans’ trust in health care Courtesy/Galveston Historical Foundation, Gatson Family Private Collection Wilina Gatson was the first black student to graduate from the University of Texas Medical Branch’s nursing program in 1960. Wilina Gatson, who was the first Black person to graduate from the University of Texas Medical Branch Nursing program in 1960, was an active health authority in the Galveston community. TOMMIE BOUDREAUX, Gatson’s sorority sister “We’re afraid they’re not going to treat us as good as they treat someone else.” WENDY LANGHAM , retired nurse of 37 years2021 | Black History Month | 21 Courtesy/Galveston Historical Foundation Preservation Resource Center Thomas Deboy “T.D.” Armstrong drives a float during the Negro Health Week Parade in Galveston. Armstrong was among Galveston’s first sucessful Black entrepeneurs, according to the Galveston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He was elected to the Galveston City Council in 1961. person to graduate from the University of Texas Medical Branch Nursing program in 1960, was an active health authority in the Galveston commu- nity, said Tommie Bou- dreaux, a close friend and sorority sister of Gatson. “Health was always an issue she wanted to discuss,” Boudreaux said, adding she was a part of several health committees in the community includ- ing the medical branch’s nurse and alumni associa- tions during her long life from 1925-2011. Gatson, also headed a nurse’s program at her church, First Union Baptist Church at 1027 Ave. K, her cousin Alice Gatson said. Wilina Gatson would distribute brochures about heart health and urge senior citizens to participate in the weekly exercise pro- gram at the predominant- ly Black church, she said. Galveston has a long history of helping mi- norities with health care and health care for Black people has improved, Alice Gatson said. But targeted initiatives like the Black Health Parade would help make health care better for them, she said. Galveston’s Black Health parade, National Negro Health Week or any other initiative that targets improving minority health could be a good way to strengthen African Americans’ faith in health care. WENDY LANGHAM , retired nurse of 37 years22 | Black History Month | 2021 ISLAND OF COLOR: WHERE JUNETEENTH STARTED Dive deep into the history of African Americans in Galveston, starting from 1865 when the author’s family arrived in Galveston through 2000. BY IZOLA FEDFORD COLLINS to purchase book, contact June Collins Pulliam at 409.392.1931 TEXAS’ OLDEST NEWSPAPER We have survived through wars, recessions, depressions, floods and hurricanes. We have covered Galveston County since 1842 and continue on today as your local news source. GalvNews.com | 409.683.5200Driving accident-free pays NOT AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE. Feature optional. Subject to terms & conditions. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co. SEAN O'DONOHOE 409-744-1888 Allstate gives you money back every 6 months you’re accident-free. Yep, and no other company does that. Sign up for Safe Driving Bonus® today. Call me to learn more. Have any other coverage needs? Call any time. 13698435 5928 STEWART RD seanodonohoe@allstate.com allstate.com/seanodonohoe 2021 | Black History Month | 23& S C A N M E ....................... This month, Galveston Historical Foundation, in conjunction with The Daily News, highlights a few of the people, places, and stories of Galveston’s Black history. Scan the code below or visit www.galvestonhistory.org for more on this and other stories. Join us for a special live-streamed event on Thursday, February 25th at 2 p.m. highlighting Galveston’s Rosewood Cemetery. This presentation will feature the history of Galveston’s first burial ground, established in 1911, designated exclusively for African Americans, and speak to current plans, and future work at this historic site. ....................... 24 | Black History Month | 2021Next >