There is no doubt that 2020 will go down in history as one of the strangest and most thought-provoking years in recent memory. Not just due to the pandemic and how the world came together to fight the virus, but how the difficulties unearthed the racial disparities in health.
One of the elements of our society that gained unprecedented attention in 2020 is systemic inequities among Black Americans. One of the major issues that has not gained as much attention as it deserves is the reality of racial disparities in health and wellness.
In the past decade, researchers found alarming disparities in various aspects of healthcare. These disparities occur in almost every aspect of health and wellness – from doctors and hospitals to mental health and alternative medicine.
What are the Racial Disparities in Health and Wellness?
Research consistently shows disproportionate rates of illness between Black and White Americans. Sadly, disparities in healthcare often result in poorer outcomes for Black patients.
Below, we summarize some of the most disheartening disparities in health and wellness. It is our hope that by learning more, we can all help correct these disparities and improve healthcare for all Americans.
Mortality Rates
Several major studies show that mortality rates for certain diseases are much higher among Black patients than White patients. For example, Black men are 2.5 times more likely to die of prostate cancer than White men. Black Americans also have higher rates of diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
Insurance Disparities
Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic women often lack access to health insurance during the prenatal and postpartum periods. Researchers have identified racial and ethnic disparities in access to insurance coverage and access to prenatal and postpartum care.
In addition to prenatal and postnatal care, there are also racial and ethnic disparities in access to health insurance. Black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to have insurance than White Americans. The Affordable Care Act narrowed some of the disparities, but there is still a gap.
Lack of Stable Food Supply
Research shows that many Americans lack access to a stable food supply. Without adequate nutrition, Americans are at risk for health conditions like hypertension, digestive disorders, diabetes, and more.
Results from a National Poll on Healthy Aging show that there are food access disparities across race, ethnicity, age, and education.
Lack of Diversity in the Wellness Community
The disparities in the healthcare system extend into the wellness community as well. There is increasing attention to the fact that many health and wellness communities – such as the yoga community – lack diversity and inclusivity.
The common branding on social media in health and wellness communities is focused on White, affluent, fit women. That is often far from reality.
How Can We Support Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Wellness?
With so many areas of health and wellness impacted by racial and other disparities, you may be wondering how you can support change. We all can support change by supporting our communities and those around us. Here are some ways that you can support diversity and inclusion in your community:
- Intentionally shop brands that are inclusive
- Take your business to businesses that support diversity in their workplaces
- Support a local Black-owned yoga studio
- Support the Black medical community in your area
- Support businesses that are allied to the LGBTQ community
- Petition lawmakers to support diversity and social justice
It is only through uniting and supporting one another that our communities can put disparities to rest.
Why is It Important to Address Racial Disparities?
The racial disparities in health do not just stop at one race. Yes, the above sections shone the light on important statistics against one of the most disadvantaged races – unfortunately there are more!
In the US alone, there are at least five to seven other races who call it home. But the majority of their members are treated as a family. There are American Indians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics or Latinos, and Latin Americans who face incidences of racial disparities in health on several grounds.
It is mainly perpetuated by unequal access to high-quality care and less insurance coverage. Addressing disparities helps bring awareness and put a stop to the atrocities of those disadvantaged.
Addressing disparities is crucial as it goes beyond racial discrimination and brings equality for those who have been finding it difficult to achieve sustainable development. Seeking refuge in another country for various reasons does not rip them off the rights a native individual has.
Moreover, addressing disparities ensures that basic human rights are upheld and there is justice. Inequality curtails this and abuses the person’s right to equal access.
This goes beyond every national and international law that respects the rights of an individual.
Thus, action even in the form of addressing the disparity verbally or reporting it, will help restore the rights of those affected.
Federal Actions to Address Disparities
Since the BLM movement, a lot has changed, and things are looking up. From state laws to federal laws condemning racial disparities in health and other parts of society. The most significant has been the change in data collection.
The misrepresentation of data was one of the barriers to health equality for those belonging to non-White races. As per the Affordable Care Act, the ethnicity and race data collection should be coordinated across federal agencies for a clear picture of what’s happening across. Communities.
It is also mandated under the ACA for federal agencies to set up the Office of Minority Health to improve health in communities of colour.
This means, from the CDC to the FDA and everything in between – there must be a Minority Health Office, this gives it more clout to accomplish a reduction in health disparities.
Another one of the striking federal actions to fight racial disparities in health was the elevation of a formal institute to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities NIMHD.
This is under the National Institutes of Health and gives the NIH authority to coordinate racial disparities in health research.
This allows the NIH to provide better access to greater resources for fighting health issues affecting racial groups.
Things Are Looking Up!
Sure, there are better weapons against racial disparities in health, but it does not erase the past incidences that are lessons for society. It is your responsibility as a citizen and a human being to stop racial disparity if you witness it.
This small act may not seem significant to you, but it is potentially lifesaving for the victim of racial disparities in health and across society.
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