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July 27, 2021
By Myechia Minter-Jordan and Michael Curry
In the past year and a half, in Lawrence and Roxbury and dozens of other communities across the Commonwealth, health care providers witnessed the same story over and over. While those who could sheltered at home during the coronavirus pandemic, low-income people of color continued to go to their jobs — often as essential workers, putting themselves and their families at risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. The pandemic was a catalyst for national conversations about social and racial injustice and health inequity. But these realities are not new, and conversations are not enough.
For generations, the health care system has been just the first of many barriers to health and well-being for Black and brown communities. While systemic racism manifests in poorer health outcomes for Black and brown people when compared to white people regardless of socioeconomic status, there is a clear need to address social determinants of health. How do you apply for a job, with health insurance and other benefits, after being in prison, the victim of over-policing, and over-incarceration in your community? How do you manage a chronic condition if you are experiencing homelessness or don’t have nutritious food in your neighborhood? Research shows social determinants — like food access, affordable housing, transportation, child care, public safety and more — account for 80 percent of a person’s health status, with access to health care making up only 20 percent. To address health care disparities, Massachusetts needs to address social inequity.