Cardiology researcher and clinician Dr. Viet Le joins us to talk about the pressing need for equitable access to heart health services. Drawing on his work with underserved communities, Le explains how systemic gaps in screening, prevention, and treatment contribute to disproportionate rates of cardiovascular disease among communities of color and low income populations.
We discuss culturally tailored approaches to cardiac screening, the role of trust in patient-provider relationships, and how simple interventions can make life-saving differences. Dr. Le also shares insights from his own journey as a first generation healthcare provider, highlighting the value of representation in medicine. This conversation is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for making heart health truly accessible to all.
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