Does the stress of living in a white-dominated society make African Americans get sick and die younger than their white counterparts? Apparently, yes. Full Story »
Posted by J Sinclaire
This piece does a great job delving into both the underpinnings of health disparities and the blinders that science can have in exploring them.
One of the most insightful things I have ever read on the issue of race in America, especially as it relates to the outcomes of previous public policy decisions. The thing that stands out is how little we really know and how flawed our assumptions frequently are--this article should be a must-read for every American. I didn't expect even to like this article, much less find it inspiring. As a major supporter of the burgeoning 1960s civil rights movement, it explains so much that has baffled me--why, for example, have black ghettos become so much more violent and disfunctional during the decades since America outlawed institutionalized racism? Some deep, and troubling, questions arise, e.g.: "Was de-segregation really a good ... More »
This is a definite must-read from a biological rather than racial perspective, as it makes sense that the impoverished as teenagers would have babies then because they are healthier than they will be at age 25. The research presumes blacks are of a certain social level and that racism is to blame; however, no correlation has been done with similar lifestyles and health statistics of Appalachian poor. A simple correlative study with Appalachian health statistics can prove or disprove her theory on race.
I have had the experience of living in Appalachia for almost two decades. There the race issue is reversed from a social-economic standpoint: blondes are poor; blacks often are either gifted children from the cities attending college or the children of professors. Everything in this article can be ascribed to the disenfranchised whites whose ancestors were coal miners--a category of diversity, by the way, that Ohio University, which has a black president, acknowledges.
With a better understanding of minority cultures, even small policy changes might make a difference. For example, many health-promotion programs are aimed at teens who ... More »
This article thoroughly examines research that shows the health costs of racism. A very objective look at research by Arline Geronimus and others.
This article gives insight about a woman who went to great lengths to find out why American minorities happen to be a lot less healthy than white Americans.
This article has produced a reality that has been ostrichized since the on set of this nation. Racism and it's horrendous consequences must be exposed if we are to resolve this endeavor.
Racism is a horrific endeavor and there is nothing good that can be derived from it. As this article so eloquent states, racism literally destroys lives in all aspects such as health, self esteem, cultural growth,etc.The info in this article will not be accecpted by america because one of the most difficult thing to do by the human race is to see it's own faults. Denial will be paramount in this endeavor and ms. Arline Geronimus the person responsible for this information will al;so ... More »
This is a very well written article describing something that should be intuitive. The description of the criticisms of the researcher help to balance the article, and there are plenty of facts to help give insights.
I think this piece finally gets to the heart of the matter. This is something that has never been discussed before — does racism affect health. Blitstein does a great job of not only explaining the concept, but showing what it can do to the person behind the concept. If racism has a hidden toll on minorities, researching it has a hidden toll on the academic trying to break new ground. What Arline Geronimous went through and how she was treated for even attempting to ask the question was positively despicable, and I find that the most intriguing part of the story.
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