Meet Desiree Lichtenstein - Resident Physician in Social Medicine
Désirée Lichtenstein combines her doctoral education with public health work as a resident in social medicine. She works at the Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine in Stockholm and a PhD student in Anna-Mia's research group Global Sexual Health, with a strong interest in reproductive health.
Tell us about your background and what led you to choose social medicine as a specialist.
I am a medical doctor with a strong interest in public health and global issues. During medical school, I got involved in global health and public health issues, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), through an international medical student organization. After my internship, I worked on SRHR issues for UNFPA in Myanmar and Geneva for several years. When I returned to Sweden, I saw social medicine as an opportunity to continue to influence health and equality at the community level.
What does a resident physician in social medicine do?
As a resident and PhD student in public health, I combine research with public health work. At the Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine in Stockholm, I work on monitoring and analyzing public health, for example, by writing reports, evaluating public health interventions and developing evidence for decision-makers. The work enables me to link theory to practice and influence healthcare at both strategic and operational levels.
Why is the social medicine speciality important in the region?
Social medicine is important because we combine a good understanding of how healthcare works with a holistic perspective on health. We look not only at the disease but also at the social factors that make people ill in the first place. Social medicine practitioners can act as a bridge between clinics and policymakers, enabling improvements at both the individual and system level. In a region like Stockholm, with large health inequalities, solutions are needed at multiple levels - something we social medicine practitioners can contribute to.
Is there a particular public health challenge that you are particularly committed to?
Yes, I am committed to reproductive health, especially the right to abortion, which seems to be always on the agenda (unfortunately). The right to control one's own body is fundamental in a democratic society and incredibly important from a public health perspective. Today, it is estimated that around 11% of maternal mortality worldwide is due to unsafe abortions. This figure is likely to increase with the reintroduction of the global gag rule in the United States - a policy that prohibits organizations receiving US aid from providing information or abortion services. This will unfortunately hit the most vulnerable and marginalized groups the hardest.
What are your future plans and goals in your professional life/research?
It will be a while before I finish my specialization and PhD. I would like to continue working on the social determinants of health and work to remove and counteract barriers to reproductive health care.