Reflections and perspectives on racial inequalities and the health of the black population

Abstract

Racial inequalities deeply permeate access and quality of healthcare for the black population. This disparity is reflected in several aspects, from the lack of access to adequate medical services to the prevalence of unfavorable living conditions, such as precarious housing and inadequate food. The intersection of structural racism and health results in higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as lower life expectancy for black people compared to white people. Therefore, addressing racial inequities in health requires a holistic approach that recognizes and combats systemic racism in all its forms. This study proposed to understand and address racial inequalities in health through the multiple dimensions of this problem, examining its historical, social and economic roots, as well as its implications for the well-being and quality of life of this population. This is a theoretical-reflexive essay that explored the epistemological dimensions of reflections on racial inequalities in health, highlighting the understanding of a certain object without the imposition of a fixed system of understanding. The authors comprehensively explored relevant articles on the topic in databases such as the Virtual Health Library and Pubmed. The results of this essay were presented in five categories: Historical and social context; Inequalities in access to health services; Health indicators; Social determinants of health; and Perspectives and solutions. This analysis showed that racial inequalities in health are not only a reflection of unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, but are also intrinsically linked to structural racism rooted in institutional systems. Given this, a holistic approach is necessary, not only to address the immediate consequences of health disparities, but also to dismantle the structures that perpetuate them.