Commentary On Facing Structural Racism In Emergency Medicine

A large body of research affirms the fact that there are racial disparities in healthcare. Overall, literature shows that Black men and women suffer higher rates of death and lower life expectancy at birth than people who self-identify as White. A significant portion of the disparity in health status relates to social disadvantage caused by the legacy of discrimination and racism. For example, compared to White people, Black people have dramatically lower levels of wealth to shield them against financial uncertainties, and this inequity impacts health across the life course.