chapter 5 racism

Racism and Health

Discrimination

  • Definition: Unfair treatment based on belonging to (or being perceived as belonging to) a particular social group.

    • Social groups include:

      • Racial/ethnic group

      • Immigration status

      • National origin

      • Religion

      • Gender

      • Gender identity

      • Disability

      • Sexual orientation

Race

  • Historical belief in intrinsic biological differences among races used to justify mistreatment.

Race vs. Ethnicity

  • Race: Connotations of physical characteristics (skin color, facial features, hair texture, etc.).

  • Ethnicity: Evokes cultural characteristics (language, beliefs, dietary practices, etc.).

Racism

  • Definition: An organized system ranking population groups and allocating resources preferentially based on race.

Types of Racism

  • Systemic and Structural Racism: Integral systems and policies that produce racial disparities.

  • Internalized Racism: Discriminated groups internalize negative stereotypes, affecting self-esteem.

  • Interpersonal Racism: Conscious unfair treatment based on race.

Examples of Racism

  • Housing Discrimination: Redlining, racial residential segregation, obstacles to homeownership.

  • Economic Disparities: Discrimination in bank lending, employment discrimination.

  • Education Disparities: Unequal access to quality education, school-to-prison pipeline.

  • Historical Injustices: Internment of Japanese Canadians and Americans, Indigenous residential schools.

Racism Damages Health

  • Racism damages health through multiple pathways.

Pathway 1 – Economic Disadvantage

  • Economic Influence: Lower income, wealth, and education among people of color lead to health disparities.

  • Wealth disparities are more pronounced than income disparities.

Pathway 2 – Health-Damaging Conditions and Limited Resources

  • Exposure to environmental health hazards.

  • Physical violence and trauma.

  • Policing and mass incarceration.

  • Poor healthcare access and quality.

  • Mistrust in healthcare.

Pathway 3 – Higher Levels of Chronic Stress

  • Physiologic Response: Affects neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic systems.

  • Allostatic Load: Chronic stress causes inflammation and immune dysfunction.

  • Intergenerational Effects: Stressful experiences can have epigenetic effects passed through generations.