Research shows that people, who report experiencing racism, have greater rates of illness than who do not report it (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). 4 Racism operates at multiple levels, ranging from the individual to structural (Gee and Ford, 2011). Structural racism is defined as the macro level systems, social forces, institutions, ideologies, and processes that interact with one another to generate and reinforce inequities among racial and ethnic groups (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). Two of the most important structural explanations that best explain health inequities are institutional racism, as example residential segregation, and cultural racism. Due to reducing access to important resources, exposing individuals to health risks and triggering
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For example, medical care is lacking in poor segregated neighborhoods. 6 Studies show that segregation contributes to lower access and poorer quality of health from prevention to end life care (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). Physical activity and diet are two important risk factors for chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. These neighborhoods have less access to options for purchasing healthy food such as supermarkets (Diez Roux and Mair, 2010; Kramer and Hogue, 2009 & Williams and Mohamed, 2013);on the contrary they have more options for purchasing alcohol. Physical features of neighborhood built environments, such as land use patterns, density, access to destinations and transportation systems are important resources too. For example, a better pedestrian infrastructure, aesthetics, safety, and land use have been associated with walking for recreation (Diez Roux and Mair, …show more content…
Cultural racism leads to a lack of political will to address inequities, including those in health, affecting in this way the health of the minority groups. For example, the ideology of American Creed that share the same principles of the individualism, proposes that each person is responsible for their own failures and success. Each individual has the same rights and responsibilities. Thus, if “you work hard and play with the rules, you will succeed” (Tesh, 1988). This statement implies that failure is due to a lack of effort or merit. So, people may consider that inequality is expected and not policies are necessary to promote equality. 7 For example, the US. Government never institutionalized a national anti-racism educational program after slavery (Geronimus and Thompson, 2004). This ideology also impacts the approach of the interventions. Given that the individuals are responsible for their unhealthy behaviors, interventions are focused in addressing proximal risk factors at the individual level and not in the community or social factors (Tesh, 1988). 5 Another possible response of stigmatized racial populations to racial stereotypes in the culture is to accept as true the dominant society´s beliefs about their inferiority (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). This internalized racism or self-stereotype can affect health. For example, internalizing the American Creed Ideology can be harmful to health of Blacks who
For example, medical care is lacking in poor segregated neighborhoods. 6 Studies show that segregation contributes to lower access and poorer quality of health from prevention to end life care (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). Physical activity and diet are two important risk factors for chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. These neighborhoods have less access to options for purchasing healthy food such as supermarkets (Diez Roux and Mair, 2010; Kramer and Hogue, 2009 & Williams and Mohamed, 2013);on the contrary they have more options for purchasing alcohol. Physical features of neighborhood built environments, such as land use patterns, density, access to destinations and transportation systems are important resources too. For example, a better pedestrian infrastructure, aesthetics, safety, and land use have been associated with walking for recreation (Diez Roux and Mair, …show more content…
Cultural racism leads to a lack of political will to address inequities, including those in health, affecting in this way the health of the minority groups. For example, the ideology of American Creed that share the same principles of the individualism, proposes that each person is responsible for their own failures and success. Each individual has the same rights and responsibilities. Thus, if “you work hard and play with the rules, you will succeed” (Tesh, 1988). This statement implies that failure is due to a lack of effort or merit. So, people may consider that inequality is expected and not policies are necessary to promote equality. 7 For example, the US. Government never institutionalized a national anti-racism educational program after slavery (Geronimus and Thompson, 2004). This ideology also impacts the approach of the interventions. Given that the individuals are responsible for their unhealthy behaviors, interventions are focused in addressing proximal risk factors at the individual level and not in the community or social factors (Tesh, 1988). 5 Another possible response of stigmatized racial populations to racial stereotypes in the culture is to accept as true the dominant society´s beliefs about their inferiority (Williams and Mohamed, 2013). This internalized racism or self-stereotype can affect health. For example, internalizing the American Creed Ideology can be harmful to health of Blacks who