#racism is a public health crisis
What’s the difference between health disparities and health inequities?
Health disparities are population-based differences in health outcomes. A disparity reflects the difference between groups, not an outcome that is only experienced by one group.
Health inequities are differences in health outcomes and the opportunities groups have to achieve optimal health. These differences are rooted in avoidable and unfair social and structural injustices.
Consider this example from the Boston Public Health Commission: “Male babies are generally born at a heavier birth weight than female babies. This is a health disparity. We expect to see this difference in birth weight because it is rooted in genetics. Because this difference is unavoidable, it is considered a health disparity.”
On the other hand, studies have shown links between the stress from racism experienced by Black women and negative health outcomes. “Babies born to Black women are more likely to die in their first year of life than babies born to White women.”
Because this is true regardless of income or level of education, it is considered an inequity. Racial discrimination in health care and the stress of racism negatively affect health.
On Monday, October 18, the New York City Board of Health passed a landmark resolution on racism as a public health crisis. The Health Department will be required to enact priorities for a racially just recovery fromCOVID-19and beyond.
The resolution recognizes the impact of racism on the health of New Yorkers and requests the Health Department perform a series of actions, including:
✅ Acknowledging examples of the Department’s historic role in divesting and underinvesting in critical community-led health programs
✅ Establishing a Data for Equity internal working group
✅ Making recommendations to the NYC Racial Justice Commission
✅ Conducting an anti-racism review of the NYC Health Code, in consultation with community organizations
New York City’s resolution is one of the first to tie specific actions to its declaration.
