In effort to change the narrative and continue to mitigate for change in a systemically charge racist healthcare systems, BNM marches for change.
"Black Nurses Matter Network march on DC streets helps fight for health disparities in Black community." In an official broadcast covered by WUSA channel 9's Kolbie Satterfield, founders of Black Matter network speak out on why it is important to push their mission.
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” MLK, Jr., 1966, Convention of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, Chicago, IL
Our Reason... Racism in Health and Health Disparities – Across the United States, (BIPOC) experience a greater burden of preventable illness (acute and chronic), death, and disability across the lifespan compared with non-minorities (CDC, 2020).1 This higher burden of disease (also known as health disparity) is a function of health inequity or the unequal distribution of resources and rooted in racism. Racism, or systems of oppression, is a pervasive health issue and a “barrier to health equity.”2 There are many examples of racism in health including government-sanctioned police violence and environmental injustices. Police violence – Aggressive policing is a public health crisis that impacts physical and mental health. Racial disparities in police violence are pervasive with BIPOC communities experiencing greater use of excessive force and police killings. Other health impacts include post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues, suicide, and the spread of the coronavirus in jails and prisons. Environmental Injustice – Historically, and currently, BIPOC communities have experienced disproportionate exposure to pollution and, as a result, adverse health outcomes.
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