Angela Udongwo Leads Initiative to Improve Radiological Care for Black Patients with Protective Hairstyles

In a groundbreaking effort to address health disparities in medical imaging, Angela Udongwo, a third-year medical student at Temple University in Philadelphia, is spearheading a research project aimed at educating physicians on interpreting X-rays of Black patients with braids, twists, and locs.

The initiative, led by Udongwo and supported by her research mentor, Temple radiologist Hillel Maresky, responds to a significant gap in medical literature regarding the interpretation of common Black hairstyles in radiological scans. The project is particularly crucial given the limited representation of Black radiologists, with only 3% identified in a 2021 survey by the American Medical Association.

Physicians commonly refer to obstructions in images as artifacts, and in the case of Black hairstyles, these artifacts can be misinterpreted as signs of disease, leading to potential misdiagnoses and unnecessary medical tests. Udongwo's research aims to bridge this knowledge gap and enhance the quality of care for Black patients.

Photo Credit: Solskin

Udongwo's approach goes beyond research; she is actively engaged in educating her peers at Temple's Lewis Katz School of Medicine on both the interpretation of Black hairstyles in radiological scans and fostering respectful dialogue about these hairstyles. The goal is to prevent misinterpretations that may result in patients undergoing additional, costly tests and unnecessary exposure to radiation.

The research project is not just about identifying the issue but also creating actionable solutions. Udongwo and the Temple research team plan to use their findings to develop educational materials that will be used to train radiologists, especially those who are not familiar with Black hairstyles, enhancing their ability to provide accurate and equitable care.

Maresky emphasizes the strength of Temple University's diverse patient population, stating, "We may not be the most well-endowed hospital in terms of donations and grants, but we do have something that, I think, is even more powerful: A diverse patient population."

Udongwo's pioneering work is not only advancing medical knowledge but also promoting inclusivity and cultural competence in the field of radiology, paving the way for improved healthcare outcomes for Black patients with protective hairstyles. As she notes, "The quicker that we do admit what we don’t know, we can have these conversations and be better doctors." And to do this she also team up with other graduate student to combat Snail fever.

In the heart of Kano State, Nigeria, where the sun paints the landscape with warmth, two graduate students from Emory University embarked on a transformative journey to combat the silent adversary plaguing their communities: Schistosomiasis, also known as Snail fever.

Angela Udongwo and Chibuzor Babalola, driven by a shared commitment to public health, joined forces with eHealth Africa's Kano Lab for a two-month research expedition. The dusty roads of Kano became the backdrop for their mission — a mission sparked by the profound impact of Schistosomiasis on Nigeria, a country bearing the highest global burden of this neglected tropical disease.

Why this disease? What ignited their quest? The answer lies in the staggering statistics — over 250 million people worldwide affected, with a staggering 90% of cases nestled in the African soil they tread upon.

"We were inspired to conduct this study because of the public health impact of schistosomiasis," Angela reflects. "Kano state is one of the five states with the highest burden of the disease in Nigeria. There is a need for more cost-effective, accurate, and sensitive field-applicable diagnostics to achieve the goal of eliminating the disease."

Their purpose unfolds like the petals of a flower in bloom. The research aims to compare the effectiveness of diagnostic methods — polymerase chain reaction (PCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and microscopy — in detecting Schistosoma haematobium. But it's more than just scientific inquiry; it's a quest to find tools that resonate with the pulse of low-resource settings, tools that can unveil both acute and chronic schistosomiasis.

Yet, this journey is not confined to the laboratory. Armed with questionnaires, Udongwo and Babalola dive into the communities, seeking to understand not just the scientific nuances but the heartbeat of the people — their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about schistosomiasis.

How did this duo find themselves in Kano, working with eHealth Africa? Fate, it seems, guided their steps. "eHealth Africa was accepting interns from Emory University for summer research, and having introduced my research idea to one of the co-founders at a previous event in my school, I applied," Chibuzor shares. The lab space and equipment provided by eHealth Africa became the crucible for their scientific exploration, supervised by the dedicated lab team in Kano.

And what do they dream of achieving as the final notes of their study echo through the corridors of Kano? A device — a beacon of hope capable of detecting schistosomiasis in those silently burdened. The results of this research become not just data but a compass guiding future endeavors and grant-funded projects. Their aspirations extend beyond the laboratory, weaving into the fabric of policy improvements for field diagnosis, a ripple effect that could alter the course of the fight against Schistosomiasis.

As Udongwo and Babalola immerse themselves in the rhythms of Kano, their research becomes more than an academic pursuit; it transforms into a narrative of resilience, collaboration, and hope. The dusty roads bear witness to their footsteps, echoing the promise of a brighter, healthier future for the communities they serve.

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