Equity

We must recognize and address community trauma and historical trauma that arises from institutional racism, oppression, and discriminatory systems and policies as well as recognizing and addressing individual trauma

The groundbreaking ACEs study has been available to policy makers and practitioners for two decades; however, it is only recently that the disproportionate prevalence and effect of ACEs on those in poverty, the LGBTQ+ community, and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) have been highlighted

We know ACEs are common, but we also know they affect some populations more than others The pandemic placed a spotlight on disparities in BIPOC communities

Additionally, we are seeing how our community and public health approach fails to provide equal safe, stable, nurturing and buffering opportunities to the very demographics that are experiencing the higher prevalence of ACEs This can be attributed to a lack of place-based opportunities as well as inequities caused by systems regardless of the child's culture or behavior

In the Landmark 2002 study, "Unequal Treatment", the Institute of Medicine found that once access is accounted for, patients are still denied care This is influenced by patients' race or ethnicity and their associated stereotypes

Race and ethnic stereotypes are reinforced, but what messaging is produced as a result of ACEs and Public Health research? Nationally, black students represent 18% of preschool enrollment, but 42% of preschool students suspended once, and 48% of students suspended more than once African-Americans attending state-funded prekindergarten were about twice as likely to be expelled as Latino and Caucasian children, and over five times as likely to be expelled as Asian-American children

Through a public health lens, racial inequity mirrors ACEs data throughout community systems

According to data from the Racial Equity Training "The Fish, the Lake and the Groundwater", African Americans are:

23 times more likely to experience infant death (CDC)

19 times more likely to die of diabetes (CDC)

15 times more likely to be below proficient in reading in the 4th grade (NAEP)

3.7 times more likely to be suspended in K-12 (ED and OCR)

70 times more likely to be to be incarcerated as adults (BJS)

18 times more likely to be identified as victims by the child welfare system (DHHS)

21 times more likely to be in foster care (DHHS)

ACRONYMKEY:

CDC:CentersforDiseaseControl

NAEP:NationalAssessmentofEducationalProgress

ED:USDepartmentofEducation

OCR:OfficeforCivilRights

BJS:BureauofJusticeStatistics

DHHS:DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices

Levels of Racism

Personally-Mediated Racism is an acute stressor; it includes individual insults and discriminatory acts

Institutionalized Racism defines the discriminatory, race- or class-based policies and practices (both formal and informal) that affect BIPOC and communities.

Internalized Racism is the acceptance by members of the stigmatized races of negative messages about their own abilities and intrinsic worth

Cultural Racism determines which group qualities and characteristics are valued or devalued.

Racial Equity is… resources and opportunities social systems that are sustainable and sustain all people communities of color in planning, decision-making, evaluation

Fair and just distribution of Economic, relational, and Meaningful engagement of Authentically embodying racial equity and empowerment principles

Bold and courageous long-term commitment to unearthing racism’s root causes and addressing barriers

Numerous studies have shown how the persistent strain of daily discrimination faced by parents and other caregivers, including exposure to negative stereotypes, can adversely impact their caregiving practices and overall mental wellbeing This, in turn, may cause an overwhelming stress response in their children due to the challenges of coping with their caregiver's mental health struggles.

Racism Infographic: developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/racism-and-ecd