Exploring Race, Racism, and Structural Racism in Medicine
Pamela S Allen1, Natasha M Mickel2
1Department of Dermatology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, 619 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
Dermatologic Clinics
|March 18, 2023
Summary
Racism, originating from false beliefs about racial hierarchy, fueled slavery and persists as structural racism. This has caused significant health disparities in minority communities, necessitating societal change.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health
Background:
- Race is a social construct, not a biological determinant of human hierarchy.
- Historical pseudo-scientific theories promoted racial inferiority to justify slavery.
- These discriminatory foundations evolved into systemic inequalities, impacting various societal sectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the historical roots of race and racism.
- To understand the manifestation of structural racism in medicine.
- To highlight the resulting health disparities in Black and Brown communities.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of scientific theories on race.
- Examination of societal and institutional practices.
- Review of public health data on racial disparities.
Main Results:
- Early scientific theories falsely linked skin color to human rank, supporting slavery.
- Structural racism, embedded in institutions like medicine, perpetuates inequality.
- Significant health disparities exist in Black and Brown communities due to these systemic issues.
Conclusions:
- Dismantling structural racism is crucial for achieving health equity.
- Addressing the historical and systemic roots of racism is essential.
- Collective action at societal and institutional levels is required to become change agents.
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