APHA supports National Day of Racial Healing
"Racism is a system of structuring opportunity and assigning value based on the social interpretation of how one looks (which is what we call "race"), that unfairly disadvantages some individuals and communities, unfairly advantages other individuals and communities, and saps the strength of the whole society through the waste of human resources." --APHA Past President Camara Jones, MD, PhD, MPH
Racism structures opportunity and assigns value based on how a person looks. The result: conditions that unfairly advantage some and unfairly disadvantage others. Racism hurts the health of our nation by preventing some people the opportunity to attain their highest level of health.
Racism may be intentional or unintentional. It operates at various levels in society. Racism is a driving force of the social determinants of health (like housing, education and employment) and is a barrier to health equity.
To achieve health equity and create the Healthiest Nation in One Generation, we must address injustices caused by racism. We must support actions at all levels to ensure equal opportunity for all.
MORE ON RACISM AND HEALTH
Historic lynching tied to mortality today (from APHA's The Nation's Health)
Why ending police violence is a public health issue: A Q & A with APHA's Georges Benjamin (APHA member login required)
APHA's Georges Benjamin on Severe weather disasters, health & structural racism: a critical intersection
From CNN: Charlottesville, hate crimes are public health issue, experts say
APHA's four-part webinar series, The Impact of Racism on the Health and Well-Being of the Nation.
AJPH editorial: "Black Lives Matter: A Commentary on Racism and Public Health"
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