Hf02-09 Hugh Hampton Young’s Legacy in Advocacy: Is It Time to Reclaim Our Lane?

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory of Urology Forum II (HF02)1 May 2024HF02-09 HUGH HAMPTON YOUNG'S LEGACY IN ADVOCACY: IS IT TIME TO RECLAIM OUR LANE? Thomas L. Osinski and Ronald Rabinowitz Thomas L. OsinskiThomas L. Osinski and Ronald RabinowitzRonald Rabinowitz View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001008760.25751.09.09AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We examine the roots of political advocacy in urology by highlighting several endeavors by Hugh Hampton Young, a father of modern-day urology. METHODS: Young's autobiography and additional documents regarding Young's efforts in advocacy were examined. RESULTS: Young worked with local, state, and federal agencies to advocate for a variety of healthcare and nonhealthcare related issues. His political advocacy started in 1903 when Young successfully advocated for tuberculosis (TB) legislation at the Maryland Legislature that allowed for: the tracking of TB cases, the teaching of hygiene and cleanliness in the homes of TB patients, and the development of a state sanatorium for patients with pulmonary TB. This advocacy led William Henry Welch to recommend Young to chair The Lunacy Commission. Prior to the US entering World War I (WW1), Young had published articles in the New York Times and Baltimore Sun about preparing the youth for war and even met with President Wilson to discuss the US entering the war. During WW1, Young developed a protocol for soldiers to have relations with prostitutes that reduced the spread of sexually transmitted diseases; the leading cause of non-combat related morbidity. The day prior to a vote on a Prohibition bill that would ban alcohol from being prescribed by physicians or used by clergy for religious purposes in Maryland, Young and others published an editorial opposing the effort in the Baltimore Sun. The bill was defeated the next day when it came up for a vote. CONCLUSIONS: In the US we find that our population is often not socially prepared for the medical and technologic advances currently available and these divisions may deepen as next generation advances are made. Thus, patients may benefit from physicians being involved in lessening these divisions. However, there are real pressures for physicians to stay out of controversial topics. In 2018, the American College of Physicians declared gun violence a 'public health crisis'. The NRA responded to this statement with a Tweet warning 'anti-gun doctors' to 'stay in their lane'. Examples like this can be found in the discourse surrounding topics such as abortion, gender affirming care and vaccinations. These technosocial divides often find their ways into political ideology making these divides inherently political. If history can be a guide for those in our field, Young was a pioneer in urology and a leader who used his influence to personally advocate for efforts on a wide range of polarizing topics a century ago. He often found his 'lane' well outside the scope of what was considered routine urologic practice. Source of Funding: None © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e276 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Thomas L. Osinski More articles by this author Ronald Rabinowitz More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...