The ‘red’ regrets, regressions and redemptions of 2023

It's been a red year. In fact, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, a vibrant shade of red with a touch of purple, which the company describes as "power and empowering, brave and fearless."

Red has a variety of symbolic meanings in literature and is associated with danger, violence, warning, war and religious fervor, but also love and courage; an apt description for 2023.

Quiet, tranquil communities across the nation, including my own, were no longer immune from the violence that infested many other cities, including Washington D.C. — which saw a 38 percent rise in violent crime and more than 900 carjackings in the first 11 months of the year.

The pandemic, which transformed our lives since 2020, evolved into a new phase in 2023. One where we just would have to “live” with the virus on our own terms as public health measures were removed and the emergency was declared over in May. 

Unfortunately, the message barely mentioned that the virus was still among us. Though the mortality rates have declined since the start of the pandemic and from even the start of the year, rates of infection persisted because immunity wanes while the virus mutates. 

More studies are showing that with repeat infections, the rates of long COVID and the risk for disability increase. Through the summer months, it was challenging to find tests leading the government to restart its program to send out free tests. However, methods to prevent or reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 such as masking and ventilation are not emphasized as much and have become taboo in some areas. 

Not unexpectedly, 2023 is ending with a rise in hospitalizations. With impaired immunity from prior COVID infections, there is a surge of new respiratory pathogens such as mycoplasma associated pneumonia around the globe. 

The public was also seeing red when inflation soared, and the consumer was hit with rising interest rates and what many saw as price gouging. Over the year this improved, but the pendulum is still swinging, impacting consumer confidence in the health of the economy and the ability of new homeowners to enter the market. 

Women's health also had a red line slashed across it. Reproductive health and access were severely impacted by the 2022 Supreme Court decision on abortion and a woman's right to choose. Following this ruling, more state legislatures in 2023 limited women's access to a safe medical procedure and prohibited clinicians from providing comprehensive healthcare which included reproductive care with the potential punishment of fines, loss of licensure and even imprisonment. 

It was as if a scarlet "A" was emblazoned on the chests of women who wanted to make health decisions for themselves and their families. 

It was a summer of red as well. The Air Quality Index moved into the maroon zone in many parts of the United States which warns that conditions are hazardous for everyone — we basically were breathing toxic fumes from fires in Canada. 

It was surreal to see the brilliant blue sky become shades of red and yellow like a bruise as the contaminated air currents blocked out the sun. Ironically, it was often easier to get people to wear masks during those smoke-filled days than in crowded public spaces to protect against infection from invisible pathogens.

Climate change discussions ensued, including at COP 28 in Dubai where an ambiguous agreement to transition away from fossil fuels was approved at the last minute — it's uncertain how it will prevent a future filled with glaciers melting, sea levels rising, extreme storms and more health issues.

The introduction of ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence chatbot into our daily lives raised excitement as well as monumental red flags. This ground-breaking technology has a tendency to “hallucinate” and make false statements. 

Additional concerns over the public's dependence on this form of AI — with its associated impact on data privacy, cybersecurity, job equity, gender and racial bias and potential cognitive impairment, especially in students — accelerated efforts by the White House and federal agencies to advance policies and regulations for this industry.

While autumn brought cooler temperatures, the Middle East erupted with bloodshed on Oct. 7. Images of blood-soaked bodies, clothing and beds and crimson-stained floors were videotaped by Hamas as proud evidence of their vile acts of inhumanity. 

The brutal atrocities committed that day on innocent civilians led to a battle in Gaza to eradicate these terrorists. But this also led to rising rates of Palestinian casualties which tragically happens in war. Not surprisingly, antisemitism exploded across the globe, especially on college campuses in the United States. With the lack of leadership and courage to stand up against bigotry and hatred, we learned that words matter far beyond context. 

It was a red year — moments filled with fear, anguish and frustration. Yet, there were moments of redemption as well. Neighbors banded together to form watch groups to raise awareness about crime and outreach to the police, communities formed to share knowledge about current events and support systems for those who were afraid and saddened and professionals collaborated to exchange information and knowledge, enlightening people in need of a balanced perspective. 

Even the House worked together to pass bipartisan legislation condemning antisemitism and to hold briefings that spotlighted the lack of moral authority corrupting our institutions of higher learning. 

The White House galvanized women's health advocates to create new strategies to protect and advance the research needs and health of women. Many local leaders spoke up and stood with their constituents. 

But most importantly, we, the people, had to ask ourselves what we are willing to fight for in this world and what is important in our lives. 

Pantone has designated its 2024 Color of the Year to be Peach Fuzz: "bringing a feeling of tenderness and communicating a message of caring and sharing community and collaboration." I welcome it. 

Saralyn Mark, M.D., is the founder of SolaMed Solutions LLC, the American Medical Women’s Association’s COVID-19 lead and founder of iGIANT (Impact of Gender/Sex on Innovation and Novel Technologies). She is the director of health innovation for Star Harbor and a former senior medical and policy adviser to the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services and NASA.