Racism is a Public Health Issue
Anti-Black racism is a public health issue that affects millions of people across the globe. It is a form of systemic oppression that has been embedded in our society for centuries, and its effects are far-reaching. From disparities in access to healthcare and education, to higher rates of poverty and incarceration, the consequences of antiblack racism are felt by individuals, families, and entire communities.
The physical and mental health impacts of antiblack racism are well-documented. Studies have shown that people of color are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, mental health issues, and premature death. This is due to a combination of factors, including unequal access to healthcare, environmental racism, and the psychological effects of racism.
Antiracism is the practice of actively challenging and dismantling systems of oppression that are based on race and ethnicity. This includes challenging the structural racism that exists in our society and working to create a more equitable and just world.
Social work is a profession that is dedicated to promoting social justice and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations. As such, it is essential that social workers are actively engaged in antiracism work. By engaging in antiracism work, social workers can use their skills and expertise to challenge oppressive systems to create a more just and equitable society.
There are many ways for social workers to dismantle the systems and structures that perpetuate anti-black racism. In their practice, they can provide direct services to clients from marginalized communities and create policies to reduce the unnecessary mandated reporting of Black and brown families that results in the criminalization of poverty and family separation. Other ways include implementing policies that promote equity and justice, investing in communities of color, and educating the public about the history and effects of racism. Social workers can also work to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces and organizations. This includes hiring and promoting people from diverse backgrounds and creating policies and procedures that are designed to reduce racism and discrimination.
Upon completion of this course, participants will:
Be able to define racism and differentiate interpersonal racism from structural racism
Understand the difference between health inequity vs. health disparities
Define and understand how social determinants of health influence health outcomes
Be introduced to systems thinking as a framework for understanding health inequities
Be able to link antiracism work to social work and vocalize their role in antiracism work in the social work profession
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Time: 1:00-2:30 pm EST | 12:00-1:30 pm CST Cost: $23 This program has been approved by the NASW-TN for 1.5 continuing education units.
Are you a member of BMHV? Sign-up below to get a discount for this Continuing Education Webinar!
* Zoom details will be emailed to registrants on the morning of the event. This event is Live and will not be recorded.
For UTK alumni, field instructors, and faculty/staff discount codes, please email cswcep@utk.edu. Students should contact their program staff for their program-specific discount code. Limit one discount per purchase.
UTCSW Alumni: 25%
UTCSW Field Instructors: 50%
UTCSW Faculty/Staff: 100%
UTCSW students: 100%
Please email cswcep@utk.edu with any questions, including those related to accessibility. There is space in the registration form to indicate accommodations required. Please allow adequate time for accessibility arrangements to be made.
To request a refund, please email cswcep@utk.edu. Full refunds will be granted up to 48 hours prior to the event. In the event this program is cancelled, full refunds will be issued to all registrants.
About the presenter
Benaias Esayeas is an Ethiopian American living, studying, and organizing in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in neuroscience from Amherst College and is the co-founder of the Black Mental Health Village.
As the executive director, he is working to change the narrative about mental health in the Black community by offering an antiracist, trauma, and oppression-informed model of mental health and mental illness. Through the use of data, community-based interventions, and psychedelics psychotherapy, the Black Mental Health Village is working to decolonize mental health and decrease stigma in the Black community.
Benaias is also passionate about healthcare and medical education reform, upstream health equity interventions, and investment in social determinants of health as a framework for improving health outcomes, reducing violence in marginalized communities, and decreasing the rates of incarceration.
This blog was initially published on December 21, 2022, by the University of Tennessee Knoxville Marketing team.
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