Confronting the consequences of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination on health and health-care systems

Interventions targeting the health effects of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination: what, where, and at which level of society?
Elsevier, The Lancet, Volume 400, Issue 10368, 10–16 December 2022, Pages 2137-2146
Authors: 
Prof Ibrahim Abubakar, Lu Gram, Sarah Lasoye, Prof E Tendayi Achiume, Prof Laia Becares, Gurpreet Kaur Bola, Rageshri Dhairyawan, Gideon Lasco, Prof Martin McKee, Prof Yin Paradies, Nidhi S Sabharwal, Sujitha Selvarajah, Geordan Shannon, Prof Delan Devakumar

Racism, xenophobia, and discrimination are key determinants of health and equity and must be addressed for improved health outcomes. We conclude that far broader, deeper, transformative action is needed compared with current measures to tackle adverse effects of racism on health. To challenge the structural drivers of racism and xenophobia, anti-racist action and other wider measures that target determinants should implement an intersectional approach to effectively address the causes and consequences of racism within a population. Structurally, legal instruments and human rights law provide a robust framework to challenge the pervasive drivers of disadvantage linked to caste, ethnicity, Indigeneity, migratory status, race, religion, and skin colour. Actions need to consider the historical, economic, and political contexts in which the effects of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination affect health. We propose several specific actions: a commission that explores how we action the approaches laid out in this paper; building a conversation and a series of events with international multilateral agency stakeholders to raise the issue and profile of racism, xenophobia, and discrimination within health; and using our multiple platforms to build coalitions, expand knowledge, highlight inequities, and advocate for change across the world.