Event
Impact of Racism on the Health of People of African Descent
Scientific studies have underlined the deterimental effects of racism on both the physical and mental health of people of African descent, who are at higher risk of suffering from chronic disease and HIV-AIDS. The COVID-19 pandemic has especially shown the impact of unequal access to healthcare and basic services.
To analyse the access to basic rights and suggest recommendations, UNESCO is conducting a study on the macroeconomic cost of racism, led in collaboration with Brown University (USA). Experts will be mobilized for this proposed side event, through a dialogue with American communities taking part in the UNESCO healing initiative on overcoming the psychological trauma inherited from the history of enslavement.
Experts including Brazilian women of African descent will also analyse their current challenges to overcome and solutions. Together with UN agencies, participants will discuss the repercussions of institutional racism on health, and the possibilities of setting up structural policy changes.
