A new KFF report reveals that while racism is perceived as a major problem across various sectors of American society, it is seen as less prevalent in healthcare compared to areas like politics and criminal justice. According to the survey, only 32% of the public view racism as a major problem in healthcare, significantly lower than the 56% who see it as a major issue in politics and 54% in the criminal justice system.
The study highlights stark racial disparities in perceptions of racism. Black adults are consistently more likely than White adults to identify racism as a major problem across all sectors surveyed. Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian and Alaska Native adults also generally perceive racism as a more significant issue compared to White adults.
Partisanship emerges as a strong predictor of views on racism, with White Democrats more likely than White Republicans to perceive racism as a major problem. However, among Republicans, racial minorities are more likely than White adults to identify racism as a significant issue.
Personal experiences of discrimination strongly influence perceptions of racism. Those who report unfair treatment in healthcare settings are much more likely to view racism as a major problem in the sector.
Despite these differences, trust in healthcare providers remains high across racial and ethnic groups, with about 70% of adults saying they trust doctors to do what is right for them and their community. However, Black adults, those with darker skin color, and those who have experienced unfair treatment in healthcare settings report lower levels of trust.
The report underscores the complex interplay between race, personal experiences, and perceptions of racism in American society, particularly within the healthcare system.
See “A Third of the Public View Racism as a Major Problem in Health Care; Larger Shares See Racism as a Major Problem in Politics, Criminal Justice, and Other Areas” (February 26, 2024)
