Testimony Racial Health Disparities Highlight Why We Need to Address Structural Racism
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Testimony before the Committee on Health, Council of the District of Columbia
Kilolo Kijakazi
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COVID-19 is one of the greatest health crises of our time. In April of this year, data began to reveal an alarming trend: Black families and other families of color face a much higher risk of contracting and dying from the virus. Public officials have focused on the underlying health issues disproportionately affecting these communities, such as diabetes and hypertension, as contributors to the larger impact of COVID-19. But it is important to go further and examine the root cause of these racial disparities in underlying health conditions by examining the social determinants of health and structural racism. Public policy solutions should address systemic change to eliminate the drivers of racial health disparities. 

Research Areas Health and health care Wealth and financial well-being Race and equity
Tags Asset and debts Employment and income data Racial and ethnic disparities Wealth inequality Inequality and mobility Social determinants of health Washington, DC, research initiative Racial inequities in employment Racial inequities in health
Policy Centers Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population
Cities Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV