Trent M, Dooley DG, Dougé J, Cavanaugh RM, Lacroix AE, Fanburg J, Rahmandar MH, Hornberger LL, Schneider MB, Yen S, Chilton LA, Green AE, Dilley KJ, Gutierrez JR, Duffee JH, Keane VA, Krugman SD, McKelvey CD, Linton JM, Nelson JL, Mattson G, Breuner CC, Alderman EM, Grubb LK, Lee J, Powers ME, Rahmandar MH, Upadhya KK, Wallace SB. The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health.
Pediatrics 2019;
144:peds.2019-1765. [PMID:
31358665 DOI:
10.1542/peds.2019-1765]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 496] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The American Academy of Pediatrics is committed to addressing the factors that affect child and adolescent health with a focus on issues that may leave some children more vulnerable than others. Racism is a social determinant of health that has a profound impact on the health status of children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families. Although progress has been made toward racial equality and equity, the evidence to support the continued negative impact of racism on health and well-being through implicit and explicit biases, institutional structures, and interpersonal relationships is clear. The objective of this policy statement is to provide an evidence-based document focused on the role of racism in child and adolescent development and health outcomes. By acknowledging the role of racism in child and adolescent health, pediatricians and other pediatric health professionals will be able to proactively engage in strategies to optimize clinical care, workforce development, professional education, systems engagement, and research in a manner designed to reduce the health effects of structural, personally mediated, and internalized racism and improve the health and well-being of all children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families.
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