Black American Health:  Law as a Social Determinant of Health

The United Nations has declared 2011 "The International Year for People of African Descent", http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2010/12/special-event-launching-of-the-international-year-of-peoples-of-african-descent.html These series of webinars are offered in recognition  of the International Year for People of African Descent.

Social determinants of health are the key factors in the health status gap between blacks and whites. Social determinants of health are the social, economic and political forces under which people live that affect their health.  Social determinants include wealth/income, education, physical environment, health care, housing, employment, stress and racism/discrimination. In fact, for blacks racism is a key factor. In fact, for blacks racism is a key factor.  Even when economics are controlled, blacks have poorer health. That is, middle-class blacks have poorer health than middle-class whites. In fact, middle-class whites live 10 years longer than middle-class blacks. The stress of living in a racialized discriminatory society accounts for these racial health disparities.

Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that exposure to racial discrimination, and the related economic adversity and social disadvantages, may be a chronic source of trauma in Black communities  that negatively influences mental and physical health outcomes.  These effects may be exacerbated for Black children  who may be impacted by exposure to racial discrimination directly and indirectly via the negative influence of racial discrimination on parent and community support and functioning.  Using a life-course framework, we will examine how exposure to racial discrimination in childhood can shape child and adult health, particularly the likelihood of chronic disease in adulthood.

The law is a factor in every social determinant of  health and particularly in racial discrimination.  The webinar will discuss the role of laws and legal structures as a strategy for reducing health disparities.

**Racial Inequality: A Risk Factor for Health Disparities in African American Communities".  
Dr. Kathy Sanders-Phillips

**Law as a Social Determinant of Health
Dr. Vernellia Randall

The Webinars are organized by Professor Vernellia R. Randall at The University of Dayton (randall@udayton.edu).
The JD Project
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http://lawschoolbootcamp.org 


Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Time:  5:00pm -  6:30 pm
Cost:   Free

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/363063002