Answer 2 for PUB 540 When might collecting data on race perpetuate institutional racism leading to health disparities and when is it necessary to improve public health?
Race is a strong hold of our society in which we live. Race and genetic make-up often determine how we view situations, and it creates a point for a sense of bias to become present (Silverman-Lloyd and Bishop, 2021). Racism exists in our society in various forms such as beliefs (spiritual rituals), discrimination (belief that all are not created equal) and prejudice (exemplified by those who cannot be racist). Studies have shown that race plays a vital component in economic development, and access to care. Removing race as a risk factor in public health data collection would be detrimental to the communities that certain health conditions are more prevalent. This will create a greater gap of between disparities (William and Rucker, 2000). Not considering race as a risk factor would be unethical and immoral to the communities, and the people in which we. Removing race as a risk factor would infringe on the seven principles of public health ethics: maleficence, beneficence, health maximization efficiency, respect for autonomy justice and proportionality.
Within the social structure of the society in which we live it has been proven through scientific studies that minorities, and economically disadvantage are not offered the same level or quality of healthcare. Structural and institutional racism determines how we live, what resources, and directly impacts the health of the nation.
The Belmont Report elaborates on the ethical principles. It speaks on the key terms “Do no harm” which correlates with the seven principles of public health. Policies related to healthcare initiatives advocate for human rights and non-racial distributions of resources.
References:
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). “The Belmont Report.” HHS.gov. June 16, 2021. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html.
Silverman-Lloyd, L. G., Bishop, N. S., & Cerdeña, J. P. (2021). Race is not a risk factor: Reframing discourse on racial health inequities in CVD prevention. American journal of preventive cardiology, 6, 100185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpc.2021.100185
Williams, D. R., & Rucker, T. D. (2000). Understanding and addressing racial disparities in health care. Health care financing review, 21(4), 75–90.
