Lecture Notes on Racism, Health, and US Policy

Flashcards reviewing the historic foundations of racism in medicine, social determinants of health, and the interplay of race, health, and US policy.

What was the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (TSS)?

Medical experimentation on Black men to study the natural progression of untreated syphilis.

What was the Hill Burton Act of 1946?

An act that enforced healthcare segregation, leading to lower quality resources for non-white individuals.

What contributes to healthcare disinvestment and the creation of 'hospital deserts'?

The consolidation and privatization of hospitals, often mirroring redlining patterns, which leaves patients without local emergency services.

What is the Indian Health Service (IHS)?

An underfunded healthcare service for Indigenous populations, with significantly lower per capita spending compared to federal prisoners and Medicare recipients.

What are the three main categories of social determinants of health?

Material factors, cultural/behavioral factors, and psychosocial factors.

What types of policies impact race, health, and US policy?

Urban policies (zoning, urban renewal, redlining), social policy (Social Security Act 1935, GI Bill 1944), and health policy (Hill-Burton Act 1946, Indian Health Service 1955, Medicare/Medicaid Act 1965).

Why does place matter in determining health outcomes?

Exposure to chemical/physical agents, exposure to violence, and interaction with neighbors.

What are the consequences of a lack of government backed loans in non-white communities?

Lack of investment in an area leading to no businesses for taxes and therefore no public services, with chronic stress contributing to poor health.

How do public spaces relate to race and ethnicity?

Public space reflects ideas of acceptance and belonging and is not neutral.