This week we are switching things up, and we will be discussing a healthy fact instead of a healthy tip. Numerous studies have shown that racism and discrimination that Black people face significantly impacts their mental and physical health. Black people are significantly more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, etc., and are more likely than white people to die at early ages from all causes. There are a variety of reasons for this including reduced access to health care, chronic stress resulting from discrimination, patient concerns being dismissed by healthcare professionals, etc. There is not nearly enough space in the OWU Daily to fully discuss and understand the plethora of factors that influence this, but it all comes down to the fact that systemic racism causes disproportionate rates of chronic disease diagnoses and deaths in Black people. Do some research for yourself, and go vote on Election Day, Bishops!
Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aahealth/infographic.html
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: OWU Student Health Center
Contact: Leigh Stavar at health@owu.edu