Focus on health
Health is one of the most important foundations for participating in social life. Accordingly, the UN Social Covenant also enshrines the human right to the "highest attainable standard of physical and mental health". However, research shows that this right is curtailed by racism. Experiences of racism literally make people ill - this is scientifically well documented. Those affected experience more stress, have poorer general well-being and are generally more susceptible to (mental) illness. In addition, racist social conditions can contribute to the fact that healthcare for certain population groups is not always appropriate, adequate, accessible, affordable and of sufficient quality, as stipulated in the UN Social Covenant.
Guiding research questions
- Can racist knowledge be found in medical training in Germany and how do racialized medical students and doctors view it?
- What specific experiences of discrimination are related to personal well-being and mental health?
- How does racism affect the health of those affected?
- In what ways and with what consequences do people experience racism in healthcare?
- By focusing on the topic of health, the Racism Monitor aims to show that racism has a profound impact on the opportunities for participation of those affected. Racism not only hinders equal access to the labor market and education, but also to healthcare. This impairs social participation as a whole.
- As part of the Racism Monitor, we collect and analyze data on the health consequences of racism in Germany. In our survey of the population and people affected by racism using the NaDiRa.panel, we examine how people in Germany who have been racially marked assess their state of health. We are also investigating how specific experiences of discrimination in everyday life are related to their own well-being and mental health. We also ask what role specific experiences play in the healthcare system itself, such as the doctor-patient relationship and access to medical care.
- In addition, we are conducting qualitative studies on racism in healthcare. Using a participatory research design, we specifically examine the experiences of affected patients. We also ask how latently conveyed norms in medical training affect othering and racialization processes as well as mechanisms of exclusion towards certain population groups. To this end, we examine teaching materials and include the perspectives of racialized medical students and doctors.
- Overall, our research aims to gain a more accurate picture of the health consequences of racism and insights into everyday racist mechanisms in healthcare. Based on this, we identify possible courses of action and recommendations for affected groups, institutions, practitioners, policymakers and researchers.
Selected literature
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Aithal, Lara; Arnu, Hannah; Veit, Susanne; Wölfer, Ralf; Yemane, Ruta; Rees, Jonas (2021): Solidarity with everyone? Helping behavior towards members of ethnic minorities in times of Corona. DeZIMinutes #03, Berlin: German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM).
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Bauche, Manuela (2017): Medicine and domination. Campus Verlag. Berlin. Available online at: www.afrozensus.de
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Hallal, Houda (2015): Diversity in human medical education. Tectum publishing house.
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Paradies, Yin et al (2013): Racism as a determinant of health: a protocol for conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. In: Systematic Reviews 2013, 2:85.
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Terkessidis, Mark (2004): The banality of racism. Transcript Verlag.
Aikins, Muna AnNisa; Bremberger, Teresa; Aikins, Joshua Kwesi; Gyamerah, Daniel; Yıldırım-Caliman, Deniz (2021): Afrozensus 2020: Perspectives, anti-Black racism experiences and engagement of Black, African and Afro-diasporic people in Germany
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Wendeborn, Mathias (2021): Thoughts on racism in the German healthcare system. In: Bavarian Medical Journal 6/2021. p.264-265.
UN Charter on Human Rights: https://www.un.org/depts/german/menschenrechte/aemr.pdf