Racism in Health Care: Address This Public Health Threat with Awareness and Strategy-Racism in Health

Racism in Health

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The document discusses the American Medical Association's (AMA) efforts to address racism as a public health threat and promote racial and health equity in medicine. It highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial and ethnic minority populations and the need to acknowledge and address structural racism as a social determinant of health. The AMA's strategic plan includes initiatives such as antiracist education, structural competency training, and equity-focused standards for healthcare providers. The plan aims to eliminate racial disparities in medical education, training, and hiring. The document also features examples of programs and interventions that have successfully improved racial equity in healthcare, such as the Accountability for Cancer Care through Undoing Racism and Equity (ACCURE) clinical trial and the Moms2B program. It acknowledges the importance of including input from affected communities in efforts to address racial inequities. The document emphasizes the need for healthcare organizations to create a culture of equity and inclusion, provide support for employees who experience racial prejudice, and take action against racism in all forms. It also discusses the role of academic medical centers in leading antiracist work and the importance of incorporating antiracist perspectives and experiences into medical education.

Keywords

American Medical Association

racism

public health threat

racial and health equity

COVID-19 pandemic

structural racism

antiracist education

healthcare providers

racial disparities

medical education