‘Below the Belt’ Film Screening and Panel
Happy Holidays Citizen Endo Community!
Back in September, our team at Citizen Endo co-hosted a screening of the film Below the Belt at Columbia University Medical Center campus. The screening was presented by EndoWhat, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Department of Biomedical Informatics, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Following the film was a panel discussion and QA.
About the Film
Below the Belt is a documentary about endometriosis. Through the lens of four patients urgently searching for answers to mysterious symptoms, the film exposes widespread problems in our healthcare systems. From societal taboos and gender bias to misinformed doctors and profit-driven health care, the film reveals how millions are effectively silenced and how, by fighting back, they can improve health care for everyone.
About the Panel
- Dr. Noémie Elhadad, PhD — Chair and Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University
- Dr. Jessica Opoku-Anane, MD — Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University
- Kyung Jeon-Miranda — Artist and Patient Advocate
- Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez — Graphic Novelist and Patient Advocate
- Dr. Rita Charon, MD PhD — Bernard Schoenberg Professor of Social Medicine, Professor of Medicine, and Chair of Medical Humanities and Ethics at Columbia University
The Screening
After the screening of the film, there was a panel discussion and QA. This allowed for deeper discussion between the panel, listed above, and the attendees, which included medical students, researchers, and community members.
The biggest takeaway was how well this film raises public awareness about endometriosis. Particularly with topics of the lack of research, treatment gaps, diagnosis delay, and the disconnect between patients and providers. It was incredible to be able to co-host this event, and we hope to host another screening of Below the Belt in the new year!
Download Phendo, an app to track and manage your endometriosis! Download Phendo for iOS here and for Android here. For more information about our research and Phendo visit www.citizenendo.org/phendo.
