RACISM

 Racism must be opposed by all means that humanity has its own disposal."

 -Nelson Mandela 

 Racism is also called racialism, the belief that people can be divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called "races"; that there is a causal relationship between inherited physical traits and traits of personality, intellect, morality, and other cultural and behavioral traits; and that some races are naturally superior to others. The term also applies to political, economic, or legal institutions and systems that practice or perpetuate racial discrimination or otherwise reinforce racial inequalities in wealth and income, education, health care, civil rights, and other areas. Such institutional, structural, or systemic racism became a particular focus of academic research in the 1980s with the emergence of critical race theory, an offshoot of the critical legal studies movement. Since the late 20th century, the concept of biological race has been recognized as a cultural invention with no scientific basis at all. Racism, both interpersonal and structurally external icon, negatively impacts the mental and physical health of millions of people, preventing them from reaching their highest level. health and thus affect the health of our country. 

 A growing body of research shows that centuries of racism in this country have had a profound and negative impact on communities of color. The impact is ubiquitous and deeply ingrained in our society – affecting where we live, learn, work, worship, and play and create inequalities in access to a range of social and economic benefits – such as housing, education, wealth, and employment. Often referred to as the social determinants of health, these conditions are the main drivers of health inequalities within communities of color, putting members of these populations at increased risk for health problems. 

 Evidence shows that racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States experience higher rates of morbidity and death due to a wide variety of health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease,  compared to their white counterparts. . In addition, the life expectancy of non-Hispanic/black Americans is four years shorter than that of white Americans. The COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities is another strong example of these lingering health disparities.

- YUGANSH