BTN News: Racial inequality in healthcare is a global issue that continues to affect millions of people. Layal Liverpool, a former biomedical researcher turned journalist, sheds light on this crisis in her new book, Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Ill. Through personal experience and in-depth research, Liverpool explores how racial biases and misconceptions in medicine are leading to worse health outcomes for marginalized ethnic groups. Her book highlights staggering statistics, including the fact that Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts. This piece unpacks Liverpool’s findings and how systemic racism is impacting healthcare across the globe.
The Hidden Dangers of Medical Misconceptions
When Layal Liverpool first noticed spots of depigmentation on her skin, multiple doctors misdiagnosed her condition. Despite being prescribed antibiotics and antifungal treatments, her symptoms persisted. Only later, when a Black dermatologist in the UK examined her, did she receive the correct diagnosis: eczema. Liverpool points to this as evidence that many healthcare professionals, particularly those who are white, may lack the understanding necessary to diagnose conditions in people of color accurately.
She discovered that her case was not unique. Many students and professionals in the medical field hold outdated or incorrect beliefs about biological differences between ethnic groups. For instance, some assume that Black people have thicker skin or feel pain differently. These misconceptions, embedded in medical education, often lead to subpar care for non-white patients.
Historical Myths Still Impacting Today’s Healthcare
A significant portion of medical practice has been shaped by historical misconceptions. Liverpool discusses how myths from centuries ago still influence current treatment methods. For example, for years, it was common to adjust kidney function tests based on a patient’s race, believing Black people had different kidney function compared to white patients. This myth, derived from a small study, made its way into medical guidelines, negatively impacting the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases in Black individuals.
Similarly, lung function tests have historically been adjusted based on race, an idea rooted in the work of Samuel Cartwright, a 19th-century doctor and slaveholder. Cartwright believed that Black people had weaker lungs and benefited from slavery. Astonishingly, this falsehood persisted in medical practices until very recently. Liverpool reports that both the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society have only recently removed the race adjustment from their guidelines.
The Mental Toll of Racism on Health
Racism doesn’t just affect physical health—it takes a severe toll on mental health as well. Black people are more likely to be involuntarily detained for psychiatric treatment compared to white individuals. In the U.S., Black men suffering from mental health crises are also more likely to die at the hands of police than white men in similar situations. According to Liverpool, this stems from racial stereotypes that portray Black individuals as more dangerous or threatening.
The underdiagnosis of depression in marginalized communities and the overdiagnosis of schizophrenia among Black people are also examples of how racial biases impact mental health care. This unequal treatment in mental health services discourages many people of color from seeking help when they most need it. Often, their experiences of racism and discrimination are dismissed, further isolating them in times of vulnerability.
Chronic Stress and Cardiovascular Disease: The Long-Term Impact of Racism
Living with daily racism doesn’t just affect mental well-being; it can also lead to chronic diseases like hypertension and cardiovascular illness. Liverpool discusses how the constant stress from microaggressions—such as being followed in a store due to racial profiling—can have a profound physiological impact. Over time, this chronic stress wears down the body’s nervous and cardiovascular systems, increasing the likelihood of heart disease.
Racism also plays a role in cognitive decline. Prolonged exposure to trauma and stress has been linked to memory problems and dementia later in life. Communities facing systemic racism experience these health risks at much higher rates than their white counterparts.
A Maternal Health Crisis: Black Women Four Times More Likely to Die During Childbirth
One of the most glaring examples of racial disparity in healthcare is the maternal mortality rate for Black women. In the UK, Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women. Liverpool became especially interested in this issue after becoming a mother herself. Her research revealed similar disparities in countries around the world, not only in maternal health but across numerous conditions, from infectious diseases to mental health.
Organizations like Five X More are fighting to raise awareness and improve maternal care for Black women in the UK. They’ve found that 43% of Black and mixed-race women experience discrimination during maternity care. The organization provides resources to empower Black women during pregnancy and advocates for healthcare workers to receive anti-racism training.
Can We Fix the System? Paths Toward Equality in Healthcare
Despite the grim statistics, Liverpool believes there is reason for hope. Throughout her research, she encountered numerous healthcare professionals and scientists actively working to eliminate racial bias from medical practice. Increasingly, research institutions are reviewing past studies to remove any race-based adjustments that lack scientific basis.
Medical schools are starting to incorporate anti-racism training, aiming to equip future doctors with a better understanding of how race and ethnicity affect health outcomes. Campaigns like Five X More are also gaining traction, as more healthcare providers recognize the need for systemic change.
What Can Be Done?
- Implement anti-racism training in medical education: Healthcare professionals need better training to recognize how race and culture affect health, especially when it comes to diagnosing and treating diseases.
- Remove race-based medical guidelines: Recommendations that adjust treatment based on race, which lack scientific support, should be eliminated.
- Promote community health programs: Grassroots organizations like Five X More are crucial for providing resources to marginalized communities and addressing health disparities.
By tackling racism at its core in medical practices, Liverpool argues that healthcare systems can not only become more equitable but also more efficient, saving time, money, and lives.
In conclusion, systemic racism in healthcare is a major public health crisis that impacts both mental and physical well-being. Liverpool’s work exposes the deeply ingrained biases that exist in medical systems and offers paths for reform. Only through concerted efforts to educate, reform guidelines, and acknowledge the impact of racism can we hope to close the health gap between ethnic groups.
