In my experience and those of many of my loved ones, the American biomedicine system is a lifesaver but can also be degrading to our self-worth. Myself and many of my family members are what most people, especially doctors, would consider fat. Because of this, my body is constantly judged and analyzed by doctors even when that aspect of my body has nothing to do with an injury or illness I might have. Having these experiences with American biomedicine, I feel as though we often focus on health in a way that is unhealthy. Often, doctors discriminate and come to conclusions about fat patients summing up all their issues as a need to lose weight. I have experienced this, my parents have experienced this, and I am sure most fat Americans have. What this actually ends up doing, instead of helping fat people get healthier whatever that might mean for them because thinness does not always equate to healthiness, is a fear of doctors and medical help. What I mean by this is, by stigmatizes and equating every aspect of one’s health to their size, people feel insecure and minimized. For those who have never experienced this, image going to the doctor with a sore throat and cough and leaving with more information about dieting than the infection you may have. While this isn’t just one event, I think it characterizes an aspect of American biomedicine that is not talked about. Yes, we have a problem with weight in this country but clearly, doctors belittling patients and constantly reminding them of their weight is not working so something else has to happen. Not only that but by repeatedly focusing on an aspect of someone’s appearance people are literally discriminated for (it is legal in 49 states to discriminate based on weight) impacts mental health a woefully underfunded and understaffed aspect of our health system. Those who are mentally ill, or are having a hard time with body image only face and exacerbation of their problems when faced by medical doctors who sum up their worth to their size. I have personally had doctors not, believe me, disregard what I’ve had to say about my own body and health. This has been shown through research that those who are fat are less likely to be believed and seen as less credible (Howe, R. & Yamawaki, N. (2013). Weight-Based Discrimination of Rape Victims. Brigham Young University. Journal of Undergraduate Research. Retrieved from http://jur.byu.edu/?p=4406/.). This type of attitude that doctors have toward me, along with about 60% of the American population who are either overweight or obese (Murray, C., Ng, M., &  Mokdad, A. (2014). The Vast Majority of American Adults are Overweight or Obese, and Weight is a Growing Problem Among US Children. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Retrieved from http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/vast-majority-american-adults-are-overweight-or-obese-and-weight-growing-problem-among ), poses a massive public health concern of people who are literally afraid to go to the doctor for fear of ridicule. This aspect of American biomedicine negatively impacts millions of Americans daily. By not going to the doctor when something is wrong, many can put of potentially fatal illnesses. Those who go to the doctor, sometimes don’t get the care they need but are forced to listen to the degradation of their body continually impacting their stress levels and mental health.