Policing as a Social Determinant of Health: Addressing the Public Health Crisis of Systemic Racism
Law & Policy InsightsRacism as a Public Health CrisisAlthough racism in the context of policing is often seen as a criminal justice issue, the reality is that racism and policing disparately affect health outcomes, and ultimately all aspects of life, for Black individuals and people of color. Racism and police violence are public health crises. We can begin to solve this crisis by prioritizing policing and systemic racism as critical social determinants of health. Doing so will truly begin to address the underlying needs of vulnerable communities.