Racial Inequality: A Risk Factor for Health Disparities in the Black Community (Part 1 of 2).

Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that exposure to racial discrimination, and the related economic adversity and social disadvantages, may be a chronic source of trauma in communities of color that negatively influences mental and physical health outcomes. These effects may be exacerbated for children of color who may be impacted by exposure to racial discrimination directly and indirectly via the negative influence of racial discrimination on parent and community support and functioning. Using a life-course framework and orientation developed by Braveman et al. (2009) and others, we will examine how exposure to racial discrimination in childhood can shape child and adult health, particularly the likelihood of chronic disease in adulthood. The implications of these findings for policies at all levels—federal, state, and local—to improve the living conditions of children as a strategy for reducing health disparities across the entire life course will be discussed. This lecture is by Dr. Kathy Sanders-Phillips, College of Medicine, Howard University. It is a part of the Black American Health: Law as a Social Determinant Webinar.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• health
• disparities
• Blacks
• African American
• race
• racism
• inequalities
• law
• Sanders-Phillips