American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Advisory on Racism’s Impact on Health
AAP Warns: Racism Poses Serious Health Threat
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued its first policy statement on the long-term impacts of racism on children’s health. This Washington Post article points to a growing body of research identifying the dangers of racism on the development of babies and children. The article also cites a study conducted last year in JAMA Pediatrics that found an increase in stress and worry about discrimination between 2016 and 2017 among high school students in Los Angeles. Environmental factors such as income levels, education, exposure to pollution and access to high-quality health care explain some of the differences. But researchers have become increasingly certain that racism and discrimination play a role, as well.
