City Research Online

Abstract

Long standing health inequalities occupied the political discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little attention was brought to their historical roots. In her book, Black Health: the Social, Political and Cultural Determinants of Black People’s Health Professor Keisha Ray looks at the underlying causes of health inequity, specifically calling attention to the reasons behind Black Americans’ ill health. The book stems from Ray’s desire to share knowledge in an accessible and comprehensive manner, which she does using a refined mixture of storytelling -pertinently referencing lived experiences- and research, giving insightful evidence into the importance of considering race as a social construct and racism as a health determinant. Black Health specifically looks at the role of medical professionals in contributing to ingrained prejudice and the intimate relationship between bioethics and medicine and race and racism that has then perfused the realm of law and policy. The fundamental falsehood of Black bodies’ inferiority is addressed throughout with a bioethical approach that looks at experiences in and beyond the healthcare setting. The fatalism, racism, and prejudice faced by Black people in maternity care, the struggle they face with inadequate pain management, the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions and comorbidities are all presented against a bleak historical background. Housing and environmental factors also feature because of the pivotal impact they have had on the Black community’s poor health.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2023, the authors.
Publisher Keywords:	Health Inequity, Black Health, Justice, Intersectionality, Social Determinants
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare K Law R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	The City Law School > Academic Programmes The City Law School > International Law and Affairs Group
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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