Health Equity and the Impact of Racism on Adolescent Health

Abstract

Racism is woven within the fabric of the United States culture, structures, and systems, including its healthcare system. There is extensive research on adults demonstrating racial discrimination’s physical and mental health impacts, and the evidence showing similar disproportionate effects for adolescents of color continues to grow. Furthermore, the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic has paralleled the resurgence of white nationalism movements and adverse outcomes associated with the over-policing of Black and Brown communities. Scientific evidence continues to illustrate how sociopolitical determinants of health and experiencing vicarious racism amplify overt racism and implicit bias actions individually and within health care structures. Therefore, evidence-based strategic interventions are desperately needed to ensure the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults.