Environmental Racism and Sexual Health: Explorations of Inequity within Historically Disenfranchised Communities

Science Center A155

Previous research has shown that the healthcare industry is affected by racial disparities whether by the implicit biases expressed by the Physicians to their patients (Matthew, D. 2015) or the lack of empowerment and trust within the community and the health institution (Earnshaw, V. A, et. al, 2013). Most studies that focus on racial disparities concentrate on chronic illness, such as diabetes, cancers, or cardiovascular diseases, and access to treatment. However, there is little to no study on the impacts of how sexual education or the lack thereof can also affect a community of people. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between health care accessibility and sexual health using the knowledge that Black residents of contemporary neighborhoods of the Southside of Chicago have on HIV as a case study. Blacks are the most disproportionate community living with HIV, being at risk, and receiving the necessary care and treatment to live longer lives compared to Whites. Interviews will be conducted to better understand the experiences of those who have faced unfair treatment in healthcare and a 25-question quiz will be given to measure the differences of HIV knowledge of Blacks and other races to see if there is a difference of knowledge among communities, supporting previous research that shows that Blacks are more disadvantaged (H, K. et. al, 2016). It will be expected that Black people’s inability to access healthcare institutions coupled with their inadequate knowledge on sexual health perpetuates racial and ethnic disparities within HIV rates.