Breaking Bias
Author Bio(s)
Sarah Bramblette is a student in NSU’s M.S. in Health Law program. Living with lipedema and lymphedema, she combines her experiences as a patient and a healthcare administrative professional in her advocacy efforts. Despite the daily challenges of living with a chronic medical condition, she uses her positive perspective to win allies in her fight to make the world a better place. In public forums—including on Capitol Hill—Bramblette welcomes honest discussions about her own health in an effort to advocate against weight bias. Her personal story has been shared on the nationally syndicated TV show The Doctors; in the Obesity Action Coalition’s Your Weight Matters magazine, Psychology Today, and the Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics on Obesity; and on the following websites: ObesityHelp.com, WEGOhealth.com, and HealthCentral.com. Branblette is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, Obesity Action Coalition, National Lymphedema Network, and ObesityHelp. She was awarded the 2014 Obesity Action Coalition Member of the Year and first place in the Health Central’s Live Bold Anti-Stigma Contest.
Talk Description
With just one look at my 430-pound body, people instantly have a negative perception about the status of my health and nature of my character. When I arrive at a job interview or doctor’s office, my fate is often sealed as soon as I’m seen. But, my excess weight is due to a medical condition called Lipedema, not poor lifestyle choices. The obesity epidemic affects one-third of American adults, yet research shows that weight bias in the healthcare industry actually hinders patients’ ability to receive quality care, which creates a cycle that leads to poorer overall health. The cost of obesity-related illness is nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending in the U.S. The rising cost of healthcare affects everyone. Therefore, everyone should play a role in breaking the bias that inhibits the efforts to reduce obesity.
Recommended Citation
Bramblette, Sarah, "Breaking Bias" (2015). TEDxNSU. 16.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tedxnsu/16
