An Allergist Explains: How My Grandfather’s Fight With Asthma Shaped My Mission – BlackDoctor
Board-certified allergist and asthma specialist Dr. James Thompson shares how his grandfather’s battle with asthma inspired his decades-long career treating patients with asthma, allergies, eczema, sinus issues, and other immune-related conditions.
In the video, Dr. Thompson explains how environmental exposures, poor housing conditions, pollution, and limited access to healthcare contribute to higher asthma rates and worse outcomes in Black communities. He highlights how allergens such as dust mites, cockroach proteins, and mouse allergens can intensify asthma symptoms, particularly in underserved urban environments.
Dr. Thompson also discusses the broader impact of social determinants of health, including education, housing, and healthcare access, as key drivers of health disparities. He notes that autoimmune diseases such as lupus disproportionately affect Black women and emphasizes the importance of culturally competent care.
