Racial Health Disparities, Prejudice and Violence

Background

Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, are among those in the United States subject to health care disparities and social drivers of health that has an immense negative impact on their health. Further, even when controlling for issues with access to care these populations tend to receive poorer quality care. We know that prejudice, discrimination, and violence disproportionately harm the health and well-being of many different racial and ethnic communities. ACP offers a comprehensive policy framework that recognizes and confronts the many elements of U.S. society, some of which are intertwined and compounding, that contribute to poorer health outcomes, in education, in law enforcement and in criminal justice. ACP also proposes policies that confront the challenges disproportionately affecting communities and individuals at greatest risk.

Where We Stand

The American College of Physicians is committed to combatting racial disparities that affect health and health care. This includes fighting the prejudice at the root of the problem, as well as the discrimination, inequities, violence and hate crimes that result from that prejudice. Racial disparities, discrimination, harassment and violence are public health issues. Evidence-based solutions are needed to combat the stressors that disproportionately harm racial and ethnic communities.