Physician examines health disparities

Health disparities among races still persist, and some are worsening, said the keynote speaker for an MLK Symposium event organized by the schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Social Work, the College of Pharmacy, and the Hospitals and Health Centers.

Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones attributed this to a pervasive system of racism that exists on three levels: institutional, the franchised and the disenfranchised. Jones gave examples of how even the most well-meaning groups and individuals can contribute to a belief that some people deserve more, and others deserve less.

She challenged the standing-room-only audience at the Jan. 19 lecture in Dow Auditorium to participate in new strategies that will make equal the social classifications of people. Only then, she said, will health-related resources be allocated equally.

"Institutional racism," she said, "often manifests itself as social inaction in the face of greed."

Jones is a family physician and epidemiologist whose work focuses on the impact of racism on the health and well-being of the nation.

She serves as research director on social determinants of health in the Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program also included musical selections performed by the TreeTown Singers—a traditional Native American singing and drum group—and the School of Dentistry Diversity Chorale.

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