Racism is a public health crisis
The killing of George Floyd and the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has had on people of color are only the two latest examples of how structural racism can lead to devastating outcomes. Harvard Chan School stands together and is committed to helping fight this longstanding racism. The information and resources below highlight work from members of the Harvard Chan School community aimed at addressing racism and, ultimately, at helping shape a fairer, more just, and healthier world.
A Statement from Dean Michelle A. Williams
Sections:
In focus
Q&A: Turning the words ‘racism is a public health crisis’ into action
Q&A: COVID-19 pandemic highlights longstanding health inequities in U.S.
News
Social media boosting popularity of harmful skin whitening products
The products promote the colorist idea that lighter skin colors are superior to darker ones—and may also contain dangerous ingredients such as hydroquinone and mercury, said researchers.
Op-ed: The inaccurate claim linking abortion care with eugenics
The Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to abortion also supported the inaccurate claim that reproductive health care is a tool of eugenics, according to Dean Michelle Williams.
Course highlights the health impacts of homelessness
Harvard Chan School's two-year-old course on homelessness and health is one of many pieces of the School’s new pilot Initiative on Health and Homelessness (IHH), an effort aimed at advancing education, research, and practice regarding housing instability’s devastating…
Children’s asthma rates linked with neighborhood characteristics, race, ethnicity
Children living in neighborhoods with higher population densities, greater proportions of lower-income households, and greater poverty had higher rates of asthma, according to a study led by Harvard Chan School.
Better data needed around deaths in police custody
Two years after the killing of George Floyd by a police officer—and nearly 10 since the start of the Black Lives Matter movement—researchers are examining whether the ensuing protests and national conversation around racism and inequity have had…
back to top
Op-eds
To tobacco companies, Black lives don’t matter
The COVID-19 pandemic shows why we must—and how we can—end racial injustice in health
Racism is a deadly virus, too: A public health defense of these mass protests
Racism is killing black people. It’s sickening them, too.
Protest, demand change — but, please, put on your mask
Protecting hungry children during the fight for racial justice
Events
Voices in Leadership During Crises: Michelle Williams & Jeffery Sánchez
Mental Health and Wellness for Students of Color: Transitioning to College
