Racism is negatively impacting children’s health

In late July, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued the first policy statement regarding racism’s negative impact on children’s health. According to their statement, exposure to racism in a variety of settings — including, but not limited to, the home, school, and even while in the womb — can create stress. The brain’s response to that stress can lead to other health concerns. 

The AAP seeks to study the effect of several social determinants such as trauma and poverty that may “shape longitudinal health outcomes as youths move into adulthood.” They also outline suggestions for how doctors can challenge their own potential racist behaviors in their practices to “reflect on their own biases and integrate structural and individual-level strategies that optimize professional practice.” The statement outlines simple and applicable methods for pediatricians to employ, including asking doctors to be conscious of using inclusive language and ensuring all individuals who enter their practices are welcomed and respected. Other specific methods include using images and visuals within the practice that promote diversity and inclusion. 

While addressing racist biases among doctors is crucial, these methods do little to target the racism that may cause people of color health problems in the first place, even if universally employed among that group. Enola Aird, founder and president of the Community Healing Network, voiced this concern in a media alert, arguing that while these methods may appear promising and reasonable, they cannot completely address the scope of the issue.

“In light of the growing crisis facing Black children, we as a community must come up with a more accurate diagnosis and treatment that acknowledges and addresses the root cause of racism against Black children: the myth of Black inferiority,” Aird said in her statement.

Racism was inherent in the creation of America. This harmful history started when Black individuals were socially and legally regarded as less than human during slavery — which is what Aird prefers to term “the lie” rather than the myth mentioned previously. This foundation of racism is still evident in our culture today. What’s more, the broader negative perception of Black individuals in American society often causes Black children to view themselves negatively, too.

“The lie is at the root of the glaring disparities between Black and White children in health, safety, education, employment, wealth, mass incarceration, and nearly every other area of life,” Aird said. 

While this policy statement may be a good first step, Aird calls for not only pediatricians to properly identify the true foundation for racism in society before attempting to evaluate and treat its deleterious effects, but for all Americans to do so.