Structural Racism as a Fundamental Cause of Health Inequities in Delaware

​Dr. Erin Knight, Associate Director for Partnership for Healthy Communities​ and Center for Community Research & Service, and Cassandra Codes-Johnson, Associated Deputy Director, Delaware Division of Public Health, presented “Structural Racism as a Fundamental Cause of Health Inequities in Delaware” on November 12, 2020.  The presentation was part of the speaker series: Racial Justice through Collaborative Programs and Projects supported by the University’s Community Engagement Initiativ​e.  The discussion of health inequities, moderated by Rita Landgraf, Director of Partnership for Healthy Communities, emphasized how overall health is strongly influenced by where we live, learn, work, play and pray.  Research documents many ways in which health inequities are rooted in structural racism and the inequities experienced by black Americans have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Dr. Knight stated "Residential segregation is a major source of social and economic inequities that are directly tied to health inequities such as higher rates of infant mortality and shorter life expectancy among black Americans in the US."  For more information on race and health inequity, see the Health Equity Guide.  A recording of this presentation will be released by the UD Community Engagement Initiative in the near future.