Connecticut Health Foundation’s Post

When we talk about racism, we tend to focus on social and economic impacts like discrimination, violence and inequitable access to housing, healthcare, food and justice. These are all very real impacts of racism, in particular on people from Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. But what about on a physical, biological level? Does racism have any impacts on the brain itself? Our blog looks at the many ways that experiencing racism can have physical, biological impacts on the brain. See our blog for details - https://bit.ly/420lZeY #RaceBasedTrauma RacismAndTrauma #RacismAndTheBrain

Earlier today I shared an article discussing Medical Trauma and reposted a TikTok video of a Black woman that shares her sister’s medical experience which led to her death. This TEDMED Talk featuring David Williams picks up from those posts with data measures of racism and discrimination. Racism is now considered a public health crisis based on statistical data that was gathered and determined on higher mortality rates among African Americans and Latine communities during the pandemic. David discusses the wage and education gap for Black and Latine workers as compared to their white counterparts and shares how these disparities impact health outcomes. A lack of health equity is most evident in segregated and highly redlined neighborhoods and communities. More importantly, higher levels of discrimination are associated with an elevated risk for a variety of diseases including:,diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity, and premature mortality rates. Implicit and unconscious bias also lead to negative stereotypes and misperceptions of behavioral responses. David explains how this results in the police shootings of unarmed Black men and the TikTok video explains the medical staff’s misperception of her sister’s traumatic response as rude behavior or noncompliance.

Listen- the recovery from discrimination and discriminatory events are rough! 🫠🥴🤒 Let’s read and deep dive and research, but most importantly: put an end to these behaviors, and environments that encourage or make excuses for discriminatory behaviors. Are you measuring race related and discrimination related contributors and sources of mental and physical health symptoms? Or just marking ‘race’ and other demographics off on forms and repeating it in tables and graphs in reports? Let’s •measure what matters (eg measure racism not just race) , 📏 •push to make a change (eg don’t look away because it’s uncomfortable), 🫣 •and impact or intervene in response to the actual sources and contributors (eg address in your interventions). 🎯 The cost to the mind and body is unnecessary from these types of adverse experiences. #RACES #HealthJustice #SocialDrivers

If you’re interested in learning more about possible policy implementations for people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), addressing the barriers for marginalized Black & homeless people, consider reading my newly published research! https://lnkd.in/gjiGw2KM

New research from the University of Michigan shows that although racism might not be the most common type of discrimination, it had the greatest impact on the 100 adolescents ages 13 to 19 that were surveyed. To measure impact, the researchers looked at spikes in a stress hormone, called cortisol. In and of itself, cortisol’s presence in the body isn’t harmful. On any given day, its levels fluctuate from morning to evening. The body’s designed to handle it. But it’s when the normal patterns are disrupted or it remains elevated for extended periods of time — in this case, as a result of discrimination — it erodes people’s health, spiraling into health issues. It’s time to educate parents and teachers about the impact of racism on Black kids and create a more inclusive and welcoming school environment for Black kids. #BlackKidsNeedOurSupport#EndRacismInSchools #BlackMentalHealthMatters #BlackPhysicalHealthMatters

We need to consider reconceptualizing #ImposterSyndrome to include new research on how it affects people of color, and urge organizations to better understand how racism, bias, and imposter feelings are intertwined.

The Life Of A Top Boy - On Trauma and Violence in the Community... is a research paper that was published in November 2023 by the clinical psychologist, researcher and writer Dr Ron Dodzro This initially caught our eye because of the title. But the more we read, the more it became clear that this is a paper that should be read across the sector. This research is the first known study focusing on the qualitative accounts of trauma responses from young Black men in London who have been exposed to gang affiliated violence. It provides stark, enlightening, educational and interesting reading. It also concludes with recommendations to different agencies and organisations about how they work with young Black men who have been exposed to gang affiliated violence. For statutory services, the recommendation is clear - "Build relationships with gatekeepers and individuals. Based on centuries of racism, discrimination, and violence, it is understandable that Black communities are suspicious of statutory services (Boyd-Franklin, 2013). This mistrust is justified! If it is your aim to work with this population, you need to demonstrate yourself as trustworthy. You need to go where young Black men are." What are you and your organisation doing to build relationships in your community? The full paper will be posted in the comments for anyone who wants to read it. And don't forget to follow Dr Ron Dodzro 🔔 #trauma #youthjustice

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Exposure to firearm violence, including vicarious exposure, has a powerful and cumulative effect on the functional health of Black Americans, especially women, according to a recent study co-authored by a University at Buffalo social work researcher. The findings published in the Journal of Urban Health contribute to an expanded understanding of firearm violence as a multifaceted issue that demands greater awareness and broader strategies to address the needs of those being disproportionally affected. #firearmviolence #publichealth #blackamericans #vicariousviolence #urbansafety #healthdisparities #socialworkresearch #mentalhealth #communityimpact #violenceprevention Click on the link in bio to read more!

We need to consider reconceptualizing #ImposterSyndrome to include new research on how it affects people of color, and urge organizations to better understand how racism, bias, and imposter feelings are intertwined.

📚 **Exploring 'Myths of Black Inferiority' in Keith Boykin's 'Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race?'** 📚 Delving into Part 4 of this enlightening book has revealed some powerful truths that challenge deep-seated myths: 1️⃣ **Influence of Politics, Media, and Language:** The introduction underscores how political rhetoric, media portrayals, and everyday language contribute significantly to perpetuating myths of black inferiority. These elements shape our perceptions and biases, highlighting the critical need for awareness and thoughtful engagement with our information sources. 🗣️📺 2️⃣ **Chapter 16 - Welfare Myths:** This chapter confronts the stereotype that more black people than white people are welfare recipients, revealing that, in reality, the opposite is true, especially among rural, white populations. It's a powerful call to scrutinize the data and narratives that shape our understanding of race and poverty. 📊💬 3️⃣ **Chapter 17 - Crime Reporting Biases:** The critique of the term "black on black crime" illustrates how crime reporting can distort reality, perpetuating racial stereotypes without similar scrutiny of crime within other racial groups. Crime is more closely related to proximity than race, yet media often fails to apply this understanding universally. 🚔📰 Each chapter compels us to question and dismantle the pervasive myths that cloud our collective understanding of race and justice. 🤔 How can we as professionals, educators, and community leaders foster conversations that challenge these myths and promote a more accurate understanding of racial issues? #KeithBoykin #WhyDoesEverythingHaveToBeAboutRace #SocialJustice #EducatorReflections #SystemicRacism #TheClarkCommunique