A group of researchers focused on health equity has used a lot of data to test an idea: that structural racism is connected to neighborhood resources and structures that are linked to poor health.
The study explored how racism is related to chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension at the neighborhood level in Durham County.
Let's find out what they've discovered.
Researching the neighborhood
The researchers found strong associations between structural racism indicators and the prevalence of these health conditions.
Specialists explain that structural racism is about discrimination fostered by systems like housing, education, and employment.
These systems lead to discriminatory beliefs, values, and resource distribution.
The goal of the study was to use data to identify interventions to improve community and individual health.
The experiment is a first-of-its-kind observational study connecting structural racism constructs with the health of people in specific areas.
The research employed specific data and indicators, such as the area deprivation index, to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of neighborhoods.
Additionally, the study took into account discrete indicators, including reported crime, evictions, police shootings, and election participation, as manifestations of structural racism.
Why it's important
The study addresses a crucial gap in evidence and identifies factors that can be targeted to tackle health inequities in communities.
The researchers aim for their work to enhance the understanding of how living conditions impact well-being, particularly for groups that have historically faced worse health outcomes based on race or ethnicity.
Previously, we talked about the effects of loneliness.
