February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and culture of African Americans while also recognizing the impacts of racism in the United States.
While African Americans have made major strides and accomplishments in every field and occupation, it’s important to recognize the individuals who have made major impacts on public health and medicine. As an often forgotten part of medical research in the U.S., Henrietta Lacks was a Black woman who visited Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, for cancer treatment. In the lab, cancer researchers realized that Lacks’ cervical cells were able to double every 24-48 hours, unlike other cervical cells they had samples of. Her cells, called HeLa cells, are now an integral part of medical and cancer research and have even helped with the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, Lacks nor her family consented or were notified of her cells being harvested and used for research until years after Lacks’ death. While it was considered unethical of the researchers at Johns Hopkins to harvest Lacks’ cells for research without her consent, her family and the Medical Center formed a mutual relationship, and there’s no denying the effects her cells have had on the world through medical research.
Another important individual to note is Dr. Charles Drew, “the father of blood banking,” who developed new ways to store blood plasma for transfusion. Additionally, Dr. Drew organized the first large-scale blood bank in the U.S. during World War II. His accomplishments have made blood transfusions easier and safer for the roughly 4.5 million Americans who need a blood transfusion every year.
Yet another item invented by a Black person was the menstrual pad. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner invented the sanitary belt, the precursor to the modern-day maxi pad. Dr. Patricia Bath is best known for inventing a new technique and device for cataract surgery, the laser phaco probe, which is used around the world.
Lastly, inventor Otis Boykin invented the pacemaker control unit, an invention that would go on to benefit up to 3 million Americans who live with pacemakers today. This Black History Month, look into the objects you use every day. Chances are it wouldn’t be here without a Black person.
