Structural Racism In Historical And Modern US Health Care Policy

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated and amplified the harsh reality of health inequities experienced by racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Members of these groups have disproportionately been infected and died from COVID-19, yet they still lack equitable access to treatment and vaccines. Lack of equitable access to high-quality health care is in large part a result of structural racism in US health care policy, which structures the health care system to advantage the White population and disadvantage racial and ethnic minority populations. This article provides historical context and a detailed account of modern structural racism in health care policy, highlighting its role in health care coverage, financing, and quality.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the existing health inequities faced by racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. These groups have suffered disproportionately from infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, yet they still lack equal access to healthcare and vaccines. This is largely due to structural racism in US healthcare policy, which favors the White population and disadvantages racial and ethnic minority populations. This article provides a historical context and detailed account of modern structural racism in healthcare policy, focusing on its impact on healthcare coverage, financing, and quality.