Short Wave Coronavirus And Racism Are Dual Public Health Emergencies
Jun 5, 2020
David Williams, a Harvard professor specializing in public health and African studies, discusses the intersection of systemic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights how these two crises disproportionately impact Black communities and calls for urgent action to address the resulting health disparities. Williams explores the emotional struggle faced by activists during the pandemic, advocating for collective change. He emphasizes the need for empathetic leadership to navigate the complexities of public health and social justice during protests.
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Racial Disparities in Health
- Many Americans are unaware of racial health disparities.
- These disparities are often misattributed to behavior, ignoring systemic factors like living conditions and stress.
Systemic Racism and Health
- Systemic racism affects health through multiple pathways, including residential segregation.
- Where one lives determines access to education, neighborhood quality, and even city services, all of which impact health.
Stress and Racism
- Racism increases stress through higher rates of traditional stressors like unemployment and discrimination.
- Discrimination has physiological effects, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and inflammation, impacting overall health.