Racism gravely harms health
The IDIAPJGol researcher, Constanza Jacques Aviñó, publishes an editorial in the Gaceta Sanitaria journal about the impact of structural racism in the healthcare sector and on people's health
Photo: Ariadna Creus and Àngel García, Banc d'Imatges Infermeres
The latest issue of the Gaceta Sanitaria journal features an editorial with the participation of Constanza Jacques Aviñó, a researcher from the Transversal Research Unit of IDIAPJGol, as part of the Working Group on Health Determinants of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology. This editorial emphasizes the need to address institutional racism in the healthcare field in Spain.
The editorial includes a review of several studies that demonstrate the severe impact of racism on the health of racialized or migrant individuals, leading to an increase in morbidity and a rise in premature mortality. Nonetheless, the editorial warns that the level of public and scientific attention given to this issue in relation to health is far lower than that received by other issues such as tobacco, alcohol, or physical inactivity.
As noted in the text, racialized individuals face greater difficulties in accessing health services and receive less favorable treatment. This results in fewer diagnoses and treatments, as well as reduced trust in the healthcare system. According to the researcher, these experiences affect how racialized individuals interact with health services, generating mistrust and less attention to their healthcare needs.
A Non-Priority Issue
In Spain and the European Union, racism in the health sector is under-researched due to a lack of data, limited diversity among professionals, and the low presence of racialized individuals in decision-making positions. This causes the issue to be a low priority in political and scientific agendas and complicates the identification of the causes of discrimination, research, and the implementation of measures to combat it.
Dr. Jacques states that “people who have experienced racial discrimination in healthcare are more likely to have less trust in the systems and health professionals.” The World Health Organization emphasizes that this issue requires a global rethink in the design of strategies, programs, and actions.
Editorial Reference
González-Rábago Y, La Parra-Casado D, Jacques-Aviñó C; (por el Grupo de Trabajo de Determinantes Sociales de la Salud de la Sociedad Española de Epidemiología); Bee Nchama M, Manzano Lorenzo J. Raza, salud y sistema sanitario: la necesidad de abordar el racismo institucional en España. Gac Sanit. 2024 Oct 4;38:102425. doi: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2024.102425. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39368170.
