The Challenge
In 2003, the Institute of Medicine published the book "Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care." It highlights the finding that people of color receive lower quality care and have worse health outcomes than white people even when controlling for socioeconomic differences, health access and the like. It also notes the ongoing under-representation of people of color in the field of medicine. Historically, the field of medicine has a long history of being complicit in perpetuating racism. Some of the best known examples include using skull measurements to validate racial superiority, experimentation on people of color in studies such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and practicing medical interventions like permanent sterilization on people of color, often without their knowledge or consent. The Institute of Medicine's 2003 report encourages all physicians to inform themselves about these disparities and to strive to eliminate them. We hope this collection of activities and resources can help you on your journey.
Why we have to talk about race and racism
Medicine readily notes that health disparities exist and that race is the greatest predictor of health disparities. Despite clear evidence that there are no clear biologic or genetic divisions along lines of race, genomic and medical research continue to search for them to explain these disparities. The increasing realization of racism’s impact on health combined with an increase in overtly racist actions and hate crimes in the United States make it essential that medicine finally start talking about race and racism. Ignoring these issues is equivalent to silent agreement and does nothing to address or interrupt the unjust outcomes for communities of color.
“The Human Genome Project (HGP) and subsequent research showed that there is less than 1% genetic variation among all humans. Patterns of mating and geographic isolation over thousands of years have conferred genetic signatures to certain populations. Yet scientists have found little evidence to support lay understandings that social categories of race reflect discrete groups of human difference. ”