As an aspiring medical student, global health issues are of utmost concern to me. However, I understand that in order to begin to have an impact, I have to start with those closest to me: my family.
The health of each family member is the foundation upon which our shared experiences, joys, and challenges rest. Both of my grandfathers passed away due to unexpected complications from unknown ailments. In sickness or in health, the well-being of my family members directly influences the quality of our interactions and the strength of our bonds. Witnessing both of my grandfathers pass away was extremely moving for both me and my cause.
Recording and researching each and every one of my family members' medical history has granted me insight into the ways in which genetics, cultural backgrounds, environments and relationships can affect both the health of the individual and the family as a whole.
The experience has taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and the immeasurable strength that lies within familial unity. In my future medical practices, I hope to integrate familial and holistic medical treatments into my repertoire.
During COVID-19, my family and I supported over 100 families in the village of Kadambanallur in India by donating masks, food, and clothes multiple times. Since then, I have been managing to collect periodically the blood pressure and pulse data of underserved people in the village and providing suggestions to consult with doctors if their blood pressure is higher than normal to prevent them from any cardiac and kidney diseases. A recent BP survey of 113 people in the age group between 25 and 80 in the village indicated that at least 33 of them (≈ 29%) had high BP (hypertension, Stage 2) with a systolic over 140 mm Hg and Diastolic over 90 mm Hg. Of 33, only 15 of them are on BP medications and the remaining 18 (over 50%) of them not even aware of their high BP. I have suggested them to consult with the local doctors immediately.
