3 fat women in winnipeg have started a website to tackle weight based discrimination in healthcare. They're hoping to educate medical professionals on the health at every size approach to healthcare encouraging doctors to drop biased assumptions about how weighing 500lbs may be tied to any medical ailments you may be experiencing. As a feminist and supporter of women's rights, i wish them the best of luck
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-weight-discrimination-health-1.4286675Quote
The website launched two weeks ago. In its first phase, Tuckett-McGimpsey said she and her co-founders are hoping to find health-care providers who are ready to take a pledge committing to treat patients with inclusivity, respect and compassion, instead of focusing on the patient's weight.
The site is set to enter its second phase later this year: connecting those providers with patients who need their services.
"Basically, weight stigma is harmful to people's health," said Peters.
She has spent close to 15 years working in mental health, focusing on treating eating disorders. Peters says weight discrimination is prevalent in the health-care system.
"A lot of my clients over the years have been told or given the message that their bodies aren't OK in the size and shape they are and they started to engage in certain behaviours to try to alter that, and ultimately that lead to some disordered eating behaviours," she said.
Peters said she hopes the website will move health-care providers to the "health at every size" model, dropping assumptions about health based on size and helping patients become healthier holistically.
"At the end of the day, we're all wanting to help people improve their health and well-being to the degree that they want to," she said.
"That's what we are in health care, right?
This post was edited by duffman316 on Sep 18 2017 11:23am