Mission: Health Equity

Unnecessary Testing: One Doctor’s Experience

by Soraya Azari, MD

I am an extremely fortunate person — not only am I awaiting the arrival of my first child, but I’ve had a relatively uncomplicated pregnancy. I say “relatively” because there has been one unpleasant aspect…

Insights from mainstream media

By Robert Brody, MD 

People Magazine is an unusual source for a blog such as this — we are more likely to comment on articles in more academic journals. But I believe the following from People.com about a young woman, a UCSF patient, who had to leave California for another…

Ebola and Immigrant Fears

by Alicia Fernandez, MD

Here is a thought experiment: Imagine that Thomas Duncan, the unfortunate Texas Ebola patient, had been undocumented in addition to uninsured when he presented to a private hospital in Dallas.

On point: Broadening pain management options with acupuncture

By Maria T. Chao, DrPH, MPA

As I think about the year ahead, one change that I’m really excited about is the prospect of acupuncture for patients at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH). In the US…

Challenges and opportunities for technology use in safety net settings

by Courtney Lyles, PhD

As a health services researcher, I have been interested in ways to engage individuals with their health or healthcare management — particularly ways that fit…