DQ2

To what extent does discrimination and racism create health disparities? Why are some populations more likely to experience health disparities? Support your position with multiple examples.

 

MORE INFO 

How do discrimination and racism create health disparities?

Introduction

Discrimination and racism are real. They exist in our communities, schools, workplaces and healthcare settings. They also occur when people with color are left out of decisions or opportunities that affect their health. It is important for us to understand how these practices can lead to harm so that we can work together as a society to address them and make progress toward equity.

How do discrimination and racism create health disparities?

To understand how discrimination and racism create health disparities, it’s important to look at the ways in which society is structured. For example, there are policies that discriminate against certain groups of people. These policies may be unintentional or intentional but either way they have an impact on the health status of these populations.

Discriminatory practices can be found in many areas of life including healthcare settings (e.g., doctor’s offices), schools and workplaces where affirmative action programs exist but aren’t always implemented effectively or fairly across racial lines; neighborhoods where poor neighborhoods are segregated by race; media coverage that promotes prejudice against specific groups based on their race/ethnicity/national origin etc.; etc..

What is racism?

Racism is a way of thinking that divides people into groups based on their race, ethnicity and national origin. It can be conscious or unconscious – for example, when someone says “the blacks” instead of “the black community”, or when you hear about an attack on a white person but never on your own kind (e.g., “The Chinese beat up the Japanese”).

Racism is also about how we view others based on how they look. For example: if I think someone looks like an alien from outer space then I might not want to hang out with them because it would feel weird to me; if someone looks like an animal then we may not want to go camping with them because there’s no toilet paper in our tent!

Racism can lead to discrimination and violence against those who are different than us.”

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is the act of treating people differently based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristics. It can take many forms including:

• Making decisions based on racial stereotypes (for example: assuming that African Americans are more likely to be criminals)

• Refusing to hire or promote someone because they’re not white (or Asian/Latino/etc.)

• Denying services such as housing to people who don’t look like you

How can social and economic conditions affect health?

Social and economic conditions can affect health through stress, trauma and other causes. Racism is a form of discrimination that can cause stress and trauma for people who experience it. This can lead to poor health outcomes like higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts or attempts—all things that are linked with poor physical health outcomes as well.

Racism also acts as a barrier to accessing quality health care services within communities where racism exists: if you don’t have access to quality services because they’re not available where you live, then your doctor won’t know how best to treat your condition (if there even is one). Without proper treatment for mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders caused by racism/discrimination against certain groups in society due to skin color etc., these conditions may only get worse over time until eventually leading someone down another path towards death.”

What is implicit bias and how does it affect people in healthcare settings?

Implicit bias is a term used to describe the way we make quick assumptions about people based on their appearance, race, and gender. It’s also known as “unconscious bias” or “implicit stereotypes.” This means that even though you may not be consciously aware of it, your brain has already made an assessment about someone before they’ve said anything or done anything—and it can lead to negative consequences in healthcare settings. For example: A patient comes into your office complaining of chronic pain; knowing this will cause additional anxiety for them because they’re worried that their doctor doesn’t understand how bad the pain really is (which might be true). They may then feel like they need more time with other doctors just so they can get treatment right away instead of waiting until something goes wrong again later down line (this could even lead them back into emergency rooms).

How can we address health disparities?

• Educate yourself. If you want to make a change, you need to be informed about the issues that are affecting your community. You can do this by reading articles and books on the topic, talking with other people who care about it, joining an organization that works on these issues (like Black Women’s Roundtable), or attending events where experts speak about their work in this area.

• Seek out a mentor. Ask someone who’s been through what you’re going through—a friend or family member—to tell you their story and help guide your own journey toward understanding how discrimination affects us all differently depending on our race/ethnicity/gender identity/sexual orientation etcetera…

Take action and get involved.

You can take action and get involved. Find a local organization that’s working to address health disparities, ask what they need help with, volunteer your time or donate money—and learn more about the issue and share it with others.

Discrimination and racism are causing harm to people of color, especially those in low-income communities

Discrimination and racism are causing harm to people of color, especially those in low-income communities.

Discrimination and racism create health disparities because they limit access to affordable housing and healthcare. In addition, discrimination can make it harder for people who have difficulty getting health insurance or receiving treatment for illness or injury because they don’t fit into the stereotype that an employer expects from a particular race (e.g., black/white).

Conclusion

We need to act now to address the health disparities caused by discrimination and racism. It is time for everyone to work together toward a more equitable society in which all people are treated with respect and dignity.