by Esther Bush, For New Pittsburgh Courier
These monthly pages focus on health disparities in the Pittsburgh region. They aim to educate readers about key health issues, research opportunities and community resources. All articles can be accessed online at the New Pittsburgh Courier website (newpittsburghcourier.com). The monthly series is a partnership of the New Pittsburgh Courier, Community PARTners (a core service of the University of Pittsburgh’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute—CTSI), Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion.
This month’s “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on racism and health—understanding how both race and racism relate to poor health outcomes for Black, Latinx, Hispanic and other communities of color. We will also share the range of resources available here in Allegheny County. Erricka Hager and Bee Schindler, community engagement coordinators, CTSI, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, spoke about this topic.
EH: Happy Black History Month, Ms. Bush. This is one of my favorite times of the year. My children were born in February, and we’re celebrating our heritage. But our story also carries painful reminders of the historic journey of African Americans.
EB: I know what you are saying, Erricka. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to share our history and the amazing contributions we have made to society. But it is also important to acknowledge negative things in our past that are still affecting our present—for example, the legacy of the Tuskegee Study and how it understandably causes Black people not to want to participate in research. Sadly, African Americans continue to experience health disparities in some cases because their specific health differences and needs are not known. Research participation can help in those cases.
BS: Yes, Ms. Bush. This is just one example of how racism influences outcomes just as it influences policies. Inequitable policies foster mistreatment of people not only in health care but also in education, housing, employment, criminal justice and other systems that—not surprisingly—add up to significant negative health effects as well.
EB: That is a concise explanation of the cycle of oppression and its effects. It is important for us to raise awareness within the health community and to help researchers understand their roles in the continuation or elimination of this cycle. But, Erricka and Bee, during this Black History Month, we can celebrate our partnership as a solid step toward healing the relationship between health researchers and the African American community.
EH: Yes, this health page gives us the opportunity to publicly discuss critical topics like race and health disparities. We are here to nurture understanding and trust and to help both sides work together for the improved health and well-being of Pittsburgh communities.
EB: That’s the power of a partnership between an academic space and a community organization like the Urban League. Community organizations have been doing this work forever. Researchers can change the system by partnering with, listening to and believing communities. Are there any resources that we can recommend for our readers to continue to learn more about how race and racism affect our overall lives?
EH: Yes. We have included a few additional resources on this page that are great starting points for readers who are interested in getting involved with research. The list also includes community organizations that are doing amazing work in interrupting cycles of oppression.
BS: Thank you so much for having this conversation with us, Ms. Bush, about racism and how it influences health outcomes. I look forward to next month as we discuss Down syndrome.
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