Healthcare for Humans

Kumara Raja Sundar
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Monthly

This show provides actionable skills in cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity so clinicians, leaders, and neighbors can serve every community better. Hosted by family physician and healthcare leader Dr. Raj Sundar, each episode explores cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity through the voices of patients, clinicians, and system designers who live the work every day. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR Practical ways to deliver culturally competent & culturally responsive care, language-concordant, and trauma-informed care.   Strategies for tackling social determinants of health at both the clinic and policy levels.   Real stories showing how culture, history, and environment shape health outcomes—and how clinicians can respond.   Design ideas for health-care leaders building inclusive, patient-centered systems.   Community insights that help all of us become better neighbors and advocates. WHO IT’S FOR Frontline clinicians, public-health and hospital leaders, medical educators, and anyone curious about making cross-cultural care the norm. WHEN . Follow now to keep cultural humility—and culturally responsive care—at the center of your practice and healthcare system

  1. 9h ago

    90 I Illness, Disease and the Whole Person (Part 1)

    Check out the full series on ⁠Youtube - Roots of Care Series⁠ Overview: We continue our Roots of Care series by challenging the notion of clinicians as mere “fixers” and exploring what it truly means to provide healing in contexts where much of a patient's health lies outside the exam room. Drawing on polyvagal theory, somatic practices, and indigenous wisdom, we examine the importance of creating containers of safety, fostering genuine presence, and supporting patient autonomy and choice. We reflect on the pressures created by a profit-driven healthcare system, the impact of clinician self-regulation, and the value of compassion, friendship, and honoring our own needs alongside those of our patients. Through practical tools and honest discussion, we seek ways to reimagine care, cultivate resilience, and find meaning and humanity in the clinician-patient relationship. Three Takeaways: 1. Redefining the Clinician's Role: From Fixer to Facilitator One central theme was the shift in self-perception required for healthcare providers: moving away from the ingrained idea of being the "fixer" and acknowledging that most health determinants sit outside the exam room. The real role becomes creating a container of safety, presence, and supporting patients’ own agency in healing 2. The Power of Choice and Autonomy in Healing Relationships We highlighted that true healing often begins with supporting and honoring patient choice, even if that means accepting noncompliance or resisting the urge to impose one's own agenda as a provider. Providing real choice helps move beyond the “difficult patient” narrative and centers healing in the patient, not the physician 3. Co-Regulation and Authentic Presence as Core Clinical Tools The episode drew from polyvagal theory—emphasizing that a physician's self-regulation is foundational. Providers who are present and grounded have a physiological impact on the patient, helping them feel safe and “co-regulate,” especially in high-intensity or emotionally charged clinical encounters Guests ⁠Sophia Malik, ⁠MD, MPH — Family physician and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (⁠https://drsophiamalik.substack.com)⁠ Rachel Weiner, MD, MPH — Family physician Lonnie A. Nelson, PhD — Clinical psychologist; researcher in Native health Resources mentioned ⁠Somatic Experiencing® (SE™)⁠ ⁠Compassionate Inquiry® (CI)⁠ ⁠adrienne maree brown⁠ Books ⁠Vine Deloria Jr., The World We Used to Live In: Remembering the Power of the Medicine Man⁠ ⁠Efu Nyaki, Healing Trauma through Family Constellations and Somatic Experiencing: Ancestral Wisdom from the Snail Clan of Tanzania⁠ ⁠Alondra Nelson, Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight against Medical Discrimination⁠ ⁠Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited⁠ ⁠Dean Spade, Love in a Fcked-Up World*⁠ ⁠Peter Ralston, The Principles of Effortless Power⁠ About Roots of Care A series on whole-person, trauma-informed, and community-centered primary care, produced as part of the Healthcare for Humans podcast. Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    90 I Illness, Disease and the Whole Person (Part 1)

  2. Aug 18

    89 I Illness, Disease and the Whole Person (Part 1)

    Check out the full series on Youtube - Roots of Care Series Overview: We explore the limitations of mechanistic models in medicine and emphasize the importance of seeing patients as whole beings shaped by history, context, land, and community. Through candid conversation among clinicians trained in somatic experiencing, compassionate inquiry, and research with Indigenous communities, we reflect on how social determinants, trauma, and systemic violence contribute to disease and impact the patient experience. We discuss the value and complexity of diagnosis—how it can be both validating and reductive—and address how healing is fostered through relationship, safety, and the recognition of environmental, emotional, and intergenerational influences on health. By sharing personal stories and practical challenges, we highlight the need for culturally responsive, holistic care and the ongoing journey to create safer, more healing spaces within healthcare. Three Takeaways: 1. The Mechanistic Model of Medicine Can Miss the Person Raj , Sophia, and Rachel emphasized how current medical practice often treats bodies like machines—focusing exclusively on metrics like LDL or blood pressure instead of the broader context of a person's life. As Rachel points out, this oversimplifies health and neglects relationship, humanity, and the underlying reasons behind conditions such as hypertension 2. Holistic Health: Mind, Body, Spirit, and Environment Are Inseparable Lonnie highlighted the Indigenous worldview where physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and environmental well-being are seen as interconnected. Assigning an ICD code for social determinants of health is a step, but true health can't exist if, for example, someone lives in a toxic dump or feels consistently invalidated in life 3. Diagnosis as Identity: The Double-Edged Sword Sophia Malik described the complex relationship people can have with diagnostic labels. Many feel validated by finally having a diagnosis—especially after years of dismissal—but there's a risk of merging identity with illness (e.g., "I am depression" or "I am ADHD"), which can perpetuate suffering and overlook other dimensions of the self. Guests Sophia Malik, MD, MPH — Family physician and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (https://drsophiamalik.substack.com) Rachel Weiner, MD, MPH — Family physician Lonnie A. Nelson, PhD — Clinical psychologist; researcher in Native health Resources mentioned Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) Compassionate Inquiry® (CI) adrienne maree brown Books Vine Deloria Jr., The World We Used to Live In: Remembering the Power of the Medicine Man Efu Nyaki, Healing Trauma through Family Constellations and Somatic Experiencing: Ancestral Wisdom from the Snail Clan of Tanzania Alondra Nelson, Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight against Medical Discrimination Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited Dean Spade, Love in a Fcked-Up World* Peter Ralston, The Principles of Effortless Power About Roots of Care A series on whole-person, trauma-informed, and community-centered primary care, produced as part of the Healthcare for Humans podcast. Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    89 I Illness, Disease and the Whole Person (Part 1)

  3. Jul 13

    88 I You Can't Care for a Community You Don't Listen To

    Correction: In this episode I refer to INSPIRE's roadmap as created by Community Catalyst. In fact, Community Catalyst is one of five organizations in the INSPIRE coalition, which—along with six parents with lived experience—collectively authored the report. You can see the full list of contributors.For reference, INSPIRE's organization and lived experience parents are all listed here: A roadmap for effective community engagement in healthcare: Final report from INSPIRE Phase 1 - Camden Coalition Overview: We explore the difference between superficial and real community engagement in healthcare with guests Rebecca and Stephanie, both experienced patient advocates who share their personal stories of navigating complex health systems and channeling their experiences into advocacy work. We discuss the importance of authentic partnership, meaningful compensation for lived experience, and the nine dimensions of effective engagement outlined by the Inspire project—trust-based, asset-based, inclusive, integrated, mutually beneficial, resourced and compensated, transformational, and restorative approaches. We highlight practical strategies for organizations to operationalize engagement, the power of trust as a currency, and the need for diverse and relentless voices to drive change. Concrete examples of patient-centered initiatives and the challenges of balancing systemic change with individual needs round out our conversation on making healthcare more responsive and equitable for all. Three Takeaways: 1. Engagement Must Be Real, Not Performative Rebecca Esparza specifically calls out that patient engagement needs to go “beyond tokenism”—it’s not just holding a party, sending a survey, or checking a box. Instead, authentic engagement involves patients as true partners in decision-making, not just as a gesture for appearance. 2. Compensation for Lived Experience is Crucial Stephanie highlights that organizations often struggle to fairly compensate people for sharing their lived experience. She stresses that asking for “time, treasure and trauma” without compensation is unacceptable, as patients relive difficult moments for the benefit of the system 3) Mutual Benefit and Impact Must Be Evident Stephanie refuses to participate in projects without tangible impact, emphasizing that engagement is only worthwhile if it leads to real change. She looks for clear evidence—such as organizations reporting back how patient feedback resulted in concrete action References:INSPIRE Report: A Roadmap to Authentic Community Engagement — PFCCpartners Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    88 I You Can't Care for a Community You Don't Listen To

  4. Jun 15

    87 I Who Gets to Be Well? Dr. Evans on Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics.

    Overview: We sit down with Dr. Evans, CEO, Chief Medical Officer, and co-founder of the Wellness Equity Alliance, to explore how trust is built with historically marginalized communities in healthcare. We trace his journey from international humanitarian crises to leading vaccine distribution and street medicine initiatives in the U.S., digging into the intersections of operational efficiency, health equity, and the imperative for wellness—not just disease prevention. Together, we discuss the importance of understanding patients' full social histories, culturally responsive practices, and the role of branding in building institutional trust. We challenge the politicization of public health, examine the roots of distrust and trauma in marginalized communities, and call for clinicians to think creatively, form cross-sector partnerships, and unite in the face of systemic challenges to rebuild equitable systems of care. Three Takeaways: 1. Building Trust Requires Concrete, Ongoing Actions Trust in healthcare, especially with historically marginalized communities, isn’t achieved by grand gestures but through small, consistent acts—like greeting patients in their native language, deep dives into their social histories, and intentionally leaving the white coat behind to signal approachability. These deliberate choices help disarm skepticism and make patients feel seen and respected 2. Talking about health equity isn’t enough. Real progress demands operational systems that prioritize efficiency while centering equity. Relying solely on passion or “feel-good” projects fails marginalized populations; instead, balancing efficiency with access and sustainability is critical for lasting impact 3) Rebuilding Healthcare Will Require Broad, Cross-Sectoral Collaboration A radical rebuild of public health and healthcare systems can’t rely on clinicians alone. Collaboration across tech, finance, pharma, and beyond is necessary to imagine and operationalize scalable, sustainable models that serve everyone—especially those currently left behind. Learning from global best practices can help reimagine what’s possibl Book: Pandemics, Poverty and Politics Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    87 I Who Gets to Be Well? Dr. Evans on Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics.

  5. Apr 27

    86 I The Cost of Good Enough: Learning Disabilities and the Healthcare Gap (Dr. Sara Ryan)

    Overview: We explore the realities of caring for people with learning disabilities through a powerful conversation with ⁠Dr. Sara Ryan,⁠ whose lived experience and research shed light on the stigma, systemic failures, and everyday barriers faced by this community. We hear about the devastating concept of "social murder," where systems knowingly allow preventable harm, and discuss why individuals with learning disabilities often receive substandard healthcare. Drawing on personal stories and research, we reflect on actionable steps clinicians and caregivers can take, emphasizing the importance of narrative humility, thoughtful interactions, and recognizing the unique humanity of each patient. We also examine the limitations of training and research, highlight moments of everyday brilliance in care, and talk about the role of advocacy, allies, and collective change in creating a more inclusive healthcare environment. Three Takeaways: The Label of Learning Disability Transforms Lives—But Not the Person Dr. Sara Ryan describes how receiving a diagnosis of learning disability abruptly changes how individuals are treated, despite them remaining the same person inside. The label often overshadows their identity and triggers systemic shifts that lead to substandard care and premature death, Stigma and Isolation are Intensified in Certain Communities The episode underlines that while stigma around learning disabilities is pervasive, it is especially acute in some cultural communities. Dr. Sara Ryan recounts how, due to extreme stigmatization, research with ethnically minoritized groups is nearly impossible and families remain so isolated they lack basic support, as in the example of the woman uncertain how to wash her brother's hair at 08:01. Systemic Neglect is Not Invisibility—It’s Social Murder Dr. Sara Ryan introduces the concept of "social murder," which is when a system knowingly allows the conditions for harm and early death among people with learning disabilities, yet does nothing to intervene—a reality persistently documented but rarely addressed, as explored Book: ⁠Critical Health and Learning Disabilities: An Exploration of Erasure a⁠ Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    86 I The Cost of Good Enough: Learning Disabilities and the Healthcare Gap (Dr. Sara Ryan)

  6. Mar 31

    85 I How Trauma Shows Up in Primary Care Visits — A Conversation on Bodies, Healing, and Presence

    What happens when three family physicians sit down and get honest about what's missing in the care we provide? In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Weiner and Dr. Sophia Malik to explore why so many of our patients are carrying unprocessed trauma in their bodies — and why most of us were never given the tools to address it. We talk about Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), Compassionate Inquiry®, the nervous system, and what it actually looks like to bring body-based awareness into a 15-minute primary care visit. We also get personal about our own journeys with embodiment, dissociation, therapy, and the uncomfortable question of why we became physicians in the first place. This conversation is for any clinician who has ever sat with a patient and felt like something deeper was going on, but didn't know what to do next. Resources mentioned: Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) -https://traumahealing.org/ -https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/ Compassionate Inquiry® (CI) -https://compassionateinquiry.com/en/ -https://drgabormate.com/ The Wheel of Consent® -https://www.schoolofconsent.org/https://www.wheelofconsent.org/thebook Books -The Anticipatory Corpse: https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268022273... -Writings for a Liberation Psychology: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978... -Fatal Invention: https://thenewpress.org/books/fatal-i... -Nurturing Resilience: https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/sh... -The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo... -Healing Trauma by Peter Levine: https://us.macmillan.com/books/978159... -My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem: https://centralrecoverypress.com/prod... Connect: -Healthcare for Humans podcast: https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/

    85 I How Trauma Shows Up in Primary Care Visits — A Conversation on Bodies, Healing, and Presence

  7. Mar 10

    84 I Healing Through Meals: Culturally Responsive Food at South Park Senior Citizens

    Overview: We explore how ⁠South Park Senior Citizens⁠ transformed from an institutional, siloed resource hub into a vibrant cultural community, using food as a powerful tool for healing and connection. We dig into the intentional redesign of their dining experience, creating a welcoming space where elders from diverse backgrounds gather around beautifully set tables to share meals, stories, and traditions. Through immersive cultural programming, farm-to-table partnerships, and a dedicated team who speak the languages and share the lived experiences of their community, we show how addressing food insecurity is deeply tied to combating social isolation, honoring elders, and fostering meaningful cross-cultural relationships. The conversation is a rich reminder that culturally responsive care is less about big budgets and more about intentionality, dignity, and truly seeing those we serve Three Takeaways: Food as Medicine—Beyond Nutrition: Both Raj Sundar and Katherine Jordan highlight the idea that “food as medicine” doesn’t just mean what’s on the plate, but also how it’s eaten: in community, slowly, and with care ([00:03:11 - 00:03:24]). The very act of sharing meals, learning new cuisines, and eating together combats social isolation and boosts emotional health, especially for seniors carrying trauma from displacement and war. Intentional Cultural Immersion: The “Culture Focus” program is a standout takeaway—seven months dedicated to immersing seniors in each other's traditions through meals, dance, music, language, and field trips ([00:10:11 - 00:11:23]). This intentional approach doesn’t just celebrate diversity; it actively reduces silos and builds cross-cultural empathy, showing how fun and meaningful cultural exploration can become a foundation for community-building. Staff Reflecting the Community: A powerful point is the staff’s demographic alignment with the seniors they serve. Katherine Jordan mentions that the social services team are immigrants themselves and speak the languages of the seniors ([00:28:13 - 00:29:18]). This shared lived experience enhances trust, breaks down barriers, and helps seniors feel “seen” and understood—a critical step in providing truly responsive care. Local Food Sourcing and Farmer Connection: The relationship between the center and local farmers is another unique insight. Produce comes directly from local farms, and seniors—and even farmers—are able to see the impact of their labor ([00:22:23 - 00:23:50]). Bringing a farm-to-table experience to an often overlooked population, plated beautifully and shared in community, connects everyone involved in the food chain and elevates the dining experience. Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    84 I Healing Through Meals: Culturally Responsive Food at South Park Senior Citizens

  8. Feb 9

    83 I When "Fine" Means Lonely: Mental Health Care for Aging Parents Across Cultures ft. Neelam Brar

    Overview: We explore intersection of aging, mental health, and technology with Neelam, founder of Total Life, to explore how we can better support seniors through innovative care models and AI-powered tools. We hear how a personal family experience inspired Neelam to address the lack of mental health support in elder care, and learn about Total Life’s approach to integrating therapy into seniors’ primary care visits and reducing barriers to access, such as long wait times and lack of culturally competent providers. We discuss the stigma around therapy in older populations, the challenges and opportunities of providing virtual care, and how AI assistant “Lily” is being piloted to enhance adherence and engagement without replacing human clinicians. Three Takeaways: Mental Health in Elderly Care Is Critically UnderservedThrough a personal story about her mother's post-surgery depression during COVID, Neelam emphasizes that mental health for seniors is rarely integrated into discharge plans or standard care. She points out the shocking statistic that less than 6% of seniors get timely mental health interventions, underscoring a systemic issue in resource allocation. Cultural and Linguistic Barriers Compound Access IssuesThe episode tackles the unique cultural challenges seniors face in accessing therapy, especially when language and cultural concordance are needed. Neelam discusses their efforts to build a diverse roster of therapists, including different ages, religions, and languages—an element crucial for genuine engagement and effectiveness. AI’s Role as a Clinical Ally, Not a ReplacementIntroducing “Lilly,” an AI-based care coordinator, Neelam makes it clear that while AI can enhance engagement and adherence in care plans, it is not meant to replace human clinicians. The episode explores how older adults are surprisingly receptive to technology when it’s framed as helpful and personable, and how AI can fill gaps between therapy sessions. Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    83 I When "Fine" Means Lonely: Mental Health Care for Aging Parents Across Cultures ft. Neelam Brar
See All (91)

Trailer

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This show provides actionable skills in cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity so clinicians, leaders, and neighbors can serve every community better. Hosted by family physician and healthcare leader Dr. Raj Sundar, each episode explores cultural humility, culturally responsive care, and health equity through the voices of patients, clinicians, and system designers who live the work every day. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR Practical ways to deliver culturally competent & culturally responsive care, language-concordant, and trauma-informed care.   Strategies for tackling social determinants of health at both the clinic and policy levels.   Real stories showing how culture, history, and environment shape health outcomes—and how clinicians can respond.   Design ideas for health-care leaders building inclusive, patient-centered systems.   Community insights that help all of us become better neighbors and advocates. WHO IT’S FOR Frontline clinicians, public-health and hospital leaders, medical educators, and anyone curious about making cross-cultural care the norm. WHEN . Follow now to keep cultural humility—and culturally responsive care—at the center of your practice and healthcare system

Information

  • Creator
    Kumara Raja Sundar
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Healthcare for Humans
  • Show Website
    Healthcare for Humans

You Might Also Like