Call to Action: Structural Racism as a Fundamental Driver of Health Disparities: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

Call to Action: Structural Racism as a Fundamental Driver of Health Disparities: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

Structural racism has been and remains a fundamental cause of persistent health disparities in the United States. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and multiple others have been reminders that structural racism persists and rest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 142; no. 24; pp. e454 - e468
Main Authors: Churchwell, Keith, Elkind, Mitchell S.V., Benjamin, Regina M., Carson, April P., Chang, Edward K., Lawrence, Willie, Mills, Andrew, Odom, Tanya M., Rodriguez, Carlos J., Rodriguez, Fatima, Sanchez, Eduardo, Sharrief, Anjail Z., Sims, Mario, Williams, Olajide
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc 15-12-2020
Subjects:
American Heart Association
Delivery of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Health Services Accessibility
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Quality of Health Care
Racism
Stroke - therapy
United States
United States
racism
health equity
health status disparities
healthcare disparities
cardiovascular diseases
cerebrovascular disorders
AHA Scientific Statements
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Summary:Structural racism has been and remains a fundamental cause of persistent health disparities in the United States. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and multiple others have been reminders that structural racism persists and restricts the opportunities for long, healthy lives of Black Americans and other historically disenfranchised groups. The American Heart Association has previously published statements addressing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk and disparities among racial and ethnic groups in the United States, but these statements have not adequately recognized structural racism as a fundamental cause of poor health and disparities in cardiovascular disease. This presidential advisory reviews the historical context, current state, and potential solutions to address structural racism in our country. Several principles emerge from our reviewracism persists; racism is experienced; and the task of dismantling racism must belong to all of society. It cannot be accomplished by affected individuals alone. The path forward requires our commitment to transforming the conditions of historically marginalized communities, improving the quality of housing and neighborhood environments of these populations, advocating for policies that eliminate inequities in access to economic opportunities, quality education, and health care, and enhancing allyship among racial and ethnic groups. Future research on racism must be accelerated and should investigate the joint effects of multiple domains of racism (structural, interpersonal, cultural, anti-Black). The American Heart Association must look internally to correct its own shortcomings and advance antiracist policies and practices regarding science, public and professional education, and advocacy. With this advisory, the American Heart Association declares its unequivocal support of antiracist principles.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:0009-7322
1524-4539
DOI:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000936