Disproportionate Harms – Digital Gathering 2023 report
Session summary from day two of our Annual Digital Gathering 2023.
The final session of the Digital Gathering explored the role of racism and poor health outcomes among racial inequalities. The session was chaired by journalist Pennie Taylor who introduced the final session, a lecture with Dr Gwenetta Curry, Lecturer of Race, Ethnicity, and Health at the University of Edinburgh. This session was attended by 48 individuals.
Gwenetta spoke on inequalities by highlighting links to UK health and mortality, impact on cost of living, links between unemployment and poor health, systemic racism, the combined impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. In 2022, MBRRACE UK released the report ‘Saving Lives Improving Mothers Care’, highlighting that black women were four times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than that of white counterparts. This mirrors racial inequalities in infant mortality. By highlighting these leading causes of death across different groups, it is important to address it and put resources where they are needed.
Dr Curry then shared data on COVID-19 related deaths and found that black and minority ethnic communities had higher death rates. Evidence has demonstrated a strong connection between social and economic circumstance due to housing conditions, income levels, and employment. The current cost of living crisis is now widening and exacerbating these inequalities.
These poorer health outcomes and inequalities pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic.
People from minority groups are more likely to experience discrimination when looking for homes, regardless of economic background. Housing is extremely important as it has a direct link to health including housing stock and neighbourhoods.
Black people have the highest unemployment rate of all ethnicities; sitting at 9% compared to their white counterparts at 4%. The stress of unemployment is something that continues and is linked to higher levels of poor mental health.
We need to explore and understand the driving forces that create and widen these gaps.
Systemic racism exists in our society, and we need to address this is create new structures within our societies. The Nationality and Borders Bill is an example of how policy can perpetuate system racism. It is causing an overwhelming disproportionate effect on people by increasing risks of discrimination and human rights violations.
Some of the practical steps that people and organisations can do to address racial inequalities are:
- acknowledge that racism exists
- Improve data quality (gathering and sharing)
- Addressing discriminatory practices and policies
- Create more trust in the system
- Improve community relations
“Let us all try and galvanise a movement. We are all trying to find our space in the system.”
You can find more about Dr Gwenetta Curry’s work by visiting Edinburgh University’s website
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