Structural Racism In Historical And Modern US Health Care Policy

Written By The L@B

Structural Racism In Historical And Modern US Health Care Policy

Health Affairs

Ruqaiijah Yearby, Brietta Clark, and José F. Figueroa

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated and amplified the harsh reality of health inequities experienced by racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Members of these groups have disproportionately been infected and died from COVID-19, yet they still lack equitable access to treatment and vaccines. Lack of equitable access to high-quality health care is in large part a result of structural racism in US health care policy, which structures the health care system to advantage the White population and disadvantage racial and ethnic minority populations. This article provides historical context and a detailed account of modern structural racism in health care policy, highlighting its role in health care coverage, financing, and quality.

The L@B
Previous

New York Safety Net Hospitals Launch Coalition Advocating for Capital Funding & Structural Reimbursement Reform
Next

Segregated hospitals are killing Black people. Data from the pandemic proves it