Question

Describe how the chronic stress of racism can influence reproductive systems and development.

Answer 1

Effects of racism on reproductive systems and development

Racism impacted individual in almost every areas like physical, social, mental and cultural. It influences all determinants of health.

For example African Americans women are tend more likely to face discrimination than their white counterparts in getting standard medical care even at equal socioeconomic status. If socioeconomic status of African Americans women is low this situation is looking more worsening and dangerous.This mistreatment and discrimination in healthcare services due to racial disparities diminishes sexual and reproductive health of African American women. We know that racism contributes stress which is associated with many stress related psychological disorders as well as HIV, STI, negative birth outcomes. Racism induced poverty, unemployment, low education levels increase the chances. Racism promotes substance abuse, glucose intolerance and other psychological disorders that increase the chances of complications during pregnancy periods. Due to racism there is cultural and social mistrust among African American people towards whites. This mistrust tends towards low self esteem, mistrust in health services and delayed healthcare services. Low interpersonal and cooperative relationship with white also affects health of African American people.

Racism contributes inequality. Which make more access of white people to adopt more health promotional programmes like health insurance where as African American men and women lacking. This also impacting health development of these people. Due to Institutional racism gives more and effective treatment to white people ignoring and disadvantages to other groups also a factor.