9 racialization and health Flashcards
race ***
a term without scientific basis that uses skin colour and facial features to describe allegedly biological distinct groups of humans. It is a social construction that is used to categorize groups of people and usually implies assumed (and unproven) intellectual superiority or inferiority
-a way of seeing and understanding the world around us that priviledges some people and oppresses other people
-what we understand as “racial” groups are socially constructed groups ; not genetically distinct branches of humans
-yet we continue to group people based on phenotype characteristics and treat these groupings as if they are “natural”
what is racialization **
the social process by which racial categories are constructed as real, different, and unequal in ways that have social, economic, and political consequences
-the term “racialized groups” (as opposed to “race”) preferred by some because it emphasizes the fact that race is a socially constructed concept
-use the term “racialized” to indicate that this is something done to individuals and groups
ethnicity ***
a shared cultural background and individuals who interact with each other on the basis of shared cultural identity and practices
-in practice it often refers only to immigrants from non-western backgrounds (not white)
-goes beyond skin colours and facial features, takes into account cultural background and heritage
visable minority
term used by stats canada and other government bodies
-refers to persons, other than indigenous peoples, who are non white in colour
immigrant ***
officially refers to indivuiduals born outside of canada and now live in canada
-often divided into subgroups including economic immigrants, family-class immigrants, refugees
-in practice this term is applied to racialized groups and or visible minorities (white ppl born outisde canada)
human rights and anti-racism perspectives
research and social action that focus “on addressing health inequities at the local and global level “
-used to research/better understand the experiences of racialized groups
-premise : health considered a basic human right
-poor health : “exclusion and loss of human rights”
-emphasis on activism and promotion of inclusion and equity
cont
growing body of scholarship from various “critical” sociological traditions - particularly critical feminist studies - that centre their analysis on race-based relations, racism and processes of racialization
-strongly based on work by activists, including martin luther king Jr, nelson mandela and social and civil rights movements
-key theorists = derrick bell (critical rrace theory)
kimberle crenshaw (intersectionality)
human rights and anti-racism perspectives assumptions
- race is a socio-political construction by which dominant groups exercise power and control over racialized “other”
- eliminating racism is central to achieving health equity
->critical race theory - race intersects with other social and cultural forces (see p . 43 )
key concept #1 : social exclusion **
- a process whereby some groups in society are denied access to material and social resources, thereby excluding their full participation in society. it produces inequality in outcome
-people experience exclusion on the basis different social locations - age, ability, class, gender, rac, sexual orientation etc.
-excluded groups/people suffer negative impacts on their health and well-being (amongst other things)
key concept #2 : Racism ***
a set of false beliefs that one racial group is naturally superior to another group based on biological differences. It perpetuates notions of cultural superiority and inferiority and is one basis for social exclusion on discriminatory practices against a group of people because of their physical and cultural characteristics
-a pathway by which some people experience social exclusion, prejudice and discrimination
Prejudice
preconceived opinions about someone that are not based on evidence or experience (stereotypes)
discrimination
systematic and systemic exclusion through policies and everyday practices which collectively limit people’s access to opportunities and to resources
levels of racism
structural racism
Institutional racism
interpersonal racism
internalized racism
structural racism
racial bias among institutions and across society involving the cumulative and compounding effects of an array of societal factors (history, culture, ideology, interactions of institutions and policies) that systematically privilige white people and disadvantage racialized groups
institutional racism
prejudice and privilege embedded in the policies, practices, and programs of systems and institutions, including in the public, private and community sectors. Representatives may act with or without racist intention
interpersonal racism
beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of individuals based on bias, stereotypes and prejudice. Expressions may be conscious or unconscious and range from subtle to violent
internalized racism
lies within individuals
we absorb the cultural racism ideas of the racial hierarchy and accept inequity as normal.
People targeted by racism come to believe that the stereotypes and prejudices of racism are valid. People privileged by racism believe their own superiority
members of racialized groups in canada more likely to be
more likely to be :
-poor and homeless
-unemployed or employed in risky or low paying jobs
-living in neighbourhoods with fewer health and social services
see textbook pp116-119**
racism and health
krieger - 6 pathways to poorer health
- economic and social deprevation
- toxic substances and hazardous conditons
- discrimination and socially inflicted trauma
- targeted marketing of harmful commodities
- inadequate or degrading medical care
- degradation of ecosystems
a) racially motivated hate crimes
b) the weathering effect
refers to the effect of premature biological aging and associated heath risks as a result of being repeatedly exposed to social adversity and marginalization
-in response to stress, norepinephrine, epinephrine and cortisol
-> excessive amounts can harm health
-> repeated releases of these substances in high amounts over time may lead to secondary physiological effects
key to weathering effect
poverty did not explain weathering gaps - in other words, race as an isolated variable plays a crucial role
-black women had 5x the odds of high allostatic load scores compared with their male or white counterparts
-> allostatic load : cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events
-experience of racism and discrimination are phenomena that require such high-effort coping
c) access to health care
barriers to accessing
barriers to accessing adequate health care :
-language barriers/lack of interpretation services
-lack of cultural representation
-differing cultural norms and health beliefs/practices
-dismissive attitudes of health care practitioners
c) access to health care
provider-related barriers
-health care professionals perceive they are practicing non-biased medicine/health care
-research shows health care providers often influenced by internalization of stereotypes
