Public health officials: structural racism leads to poor health, premature deaths
Public health officials: structural racism leads to poor health, premature deaths
Twenty percent more Black Mississippians than White die from heart disease according to the state health department. The American Heart Association of Mississippi, joined the national office in issuing a statement about the negative effects of structural racism on health and premature deaths. Jennifer Hopping is the executive director.
“We know that in certain parts of our state access to healthcare, access to healthy food, access to resources is limited. So our goal is really to help overcome some of those barriers,” said Hopping.
According to the organization racism is embedded in the nation’s social, economic and political systems through policies. Whether intentional or not, Hopping says structural racism fosters discrimination throughout society including in healthcare, housing, education and criminal justice.
“We know we have to start looking at some of those burdens to ever achieve our goal of health for all,” said Hopping.
Read more at: MPB
Twenty percent more Black Mississippians than White die from heart disease according to the state health department. The American Heart Association of Mississippi, joined the national office in issuing a statement about the negative effects of structural racism on health and premature deaths. Jennifer Hopping is the executive director. “We know that in certain parts of our state access to healthcare, access to healthy food, access to resources is limited. So our goal is really to help overcome some of those barriers,” said Hopping. According to the organization racism is embedded in the nation’s social, economic and political systems through policies. Whether intentional or not, Hopping says structural racism fosters discrimination throughout society including in healthcare, housing, education and criminal justice. “We know we have to start looking at some of those burdens to ever achieve our goal of health for all,” said Hopping.