Discrimination and Health Outcomes

Race and ethnicity are social constructs that have been used to divide people categorically into superior and inferior groups. Historically in the United States, racial groups categorized as inferior have experienced multiple forms of discrimination. This column explores issues related to the effects of racial discrimination on health disparities and outcomes. Within the US, racial discrimination as a source of health disparities is multileveled and complex and has both historical and contemporary roots. Racial issues influencing health outcomes have been identified on an individual level as feelings of subordination, depression, anger and hostility, aggressiveness, and as being manifested in internalized racism. Racial issues and conditions also play a role in health on a societal level. In 1998, Jonathan Mann spoke of the societal context to the taxonomy of health. He said that lack of resources and power, discrimination, and violation of human rights were primary pathogenic forces in creating health disparities (Mann, 1998). Illustrating the complexity of the influence of race on health outcomes are the possible underlying genetic and environmental causes for health disparities. Historically, racism has had a major effect on health outcomes and elements of that effect remain in current times.