Black Lives Matter: A Commentary on Racism and Public Health

Am J Public Health. 2015 Aug;105(8):e27-30. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302706. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

Abstract

The recent nonindictments of police officers who killed unarmed Black men have incited popular and scholarly discussions on racial injustices in our legal system, racialized police violence, and police (mis)conduct. What is glaringly absent is a public health perspective in response to these events. We aim to fill this gap and expand the current dialogue beyond these isolated incidents to a broader discussion of racism in America and how it affects the health and well-being of people of color. Our goal is not only to reiterate how salient structural racism is in our society, but how critical antiracist work is to the core goals and values of public health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Police / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Public Health* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Racism* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • United States