February 28, 2024 – Closing the wealth gap between blacks and whites will go a long way toward eliminating the health disparities facing black Americans, according to Mary Bassett of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Health. It may be helpful.
Bassett, director of the Francois-Xavier Bagnoux Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, discusses how reparations, such as cash payments to individuals and investments in Black communities, can help promote gains in both wealth and health for Black people. I talked about that. His two-part Q&A with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Mr. Bassett is leading a research project titled “Seeking Reparations for Public Health.”
In an interview, Bassett noted that preliminary findings suggest that closing the racial wealth gap could lead to significant reductions in premature deaths among black Americans.
“We know that Black people have been systematically denied the health opportunities that white Americans enjoy,” Bassett said. “We also know that if we close the racial wealth gap and improve access to critical resources that impact health, we can expect to dramatically improve the health and life expectancy of Black Americans. I already know.”
She added: “Perhaps we can build the support we need by framing reparations as something that not only addresses unfair wealth disparities but also helps us all live longer and healthier lives. ” he added.
Read Q&A Part 1: How reparations can improve the health and well-being of Black people
Read Q&A Part 2: Study Finds Reparations Is a Prescription for Black Progress
learn more
Expert: Reparations could help address health inequities (Harvard Chan School News)
Perspective: How Black reparations can end health disparities (Harvard Chan School News)
Photo: iStock/AntGor
