A groundbreaking study has revealed that reparation payments to Black households could significantly reduce premature mortality rates among Black adults in the United States. Researchers from Drexel University found that substantial financial compensation could lead to a 29 percent decrease in early deaths within this population.
Jourdyn Lawrence, an epidemiologist at Drexel University, spearheaded the research that explored the potential health impacts of reparations. “We wanted to think about the relationships between structural racism and health and what an intervention might look like to close the Black-White wealth gap,” Lawrence explained.
The study utilized a simulation model to assess the effects of reparation payments over a decade. The results were striking: when each Black household received payments totaling approximately $900,000, premature mortality for Black adults over 18 years old decreased by about 30 percent. Moreover, the research indicated a 25 percent reduction in overall mortality rates for Black adults, regardless of age.
These findings underscore the profound connection between socioeconomic status and health outcomes. Lawrence emphasized the importance of public health involvement in the longstanding conversation about reparations, noting that it’s “not a new conversation, but it’s one that public health hasn’t been very involved in.”
The study’s implications extend beyond academic discourse. Lawrence advocates for concrete action, particularly the advancement of H.R. 40, a bill that would establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals. Despite being introduced in Congress annually since 1989, the bill has yet to progress beyond committee stages.
While federal action remains elusive, Lawrence finds encouragement in state-level and municipal initiatives. “I feel encouraged, though, that these conversations are happening on a state level in some places, like in California, and in smaller cities and municipalities,” she stated.
As the debate on reparations continues, this research provides compelling evidence of the potential health benefits for Black communities, urging policymakers to consider the far-reaching implications of addressing historical injustices.
See: “How reparations could affect Black mortality” (January 7, 2025)
