A new KFF survey on racism, discrimination, and health has uncovered widespread perceptions of racism across major U.S. institutions, with particularly high levels reported in politics, the criminal justice system, and policing.
The study, which examined adults’ views on racism in various aspects of society, found that roughly half of White adults view racism as a major problem in politics, the criminal justice system, and policing. However, Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults were more likely to identify racism as an institutional problem compared to their White counterparts.
Personal experiences with discrimination significantly influenced perceptions of racism. For instance, 89% of Black adults who reported being threatened or mistreated by the police in the past year viewed racism as a major problem in policing.
While fewer adults perceived racism as a major issue in health care compared to other sectors, the study revealed a concerning trend. Those who experienced unfair treatment in health care settings were significantly more likely to view racism as a problem in the health care system. For Black adults, this difference was stark: 74% of those who experienced unfair treatment saw racism as a major problem in health care, compared to 46% who hadn’t.
Despite these challenges, trust in health care providers remains relatively high across racial and ethnic groups. However, the study found that having providers with shared racial backgrounds or languages increased trust levels, highlighting the importance of diversifying the health care workforce.
The findings underscore the ongoing impact of racism and discrimination on health outcomes and trust in institutions, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to address structural and systemic racism across multiple aspects of society.
See “KFF Survey on Racism, Discrimination and Health: Views on Racism and Trust in Key U.S. Institutions” (February 29, 2024)