Race, Health, and Covid-19 – CASW
Speakers:
The Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, PhD, C.M., O.N.S., Senator—Nova Scotia (East Preston)
Dr. Deepy Sur, MSW, PhD, RSW, Chief Executive Officer, OASW
Opening Considerations
One of the first points brought up by the Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard is that we need to consider both the intersectional components of the individual and the=the social determinants of health for risk factors and outcomes from Covid-19, we also want to consider the impacts of racism-related stress on the health of individuals. Many African Canadian citizens are victims and survivors of PTSD. racism-related stress, however,, is not recognized in the DSM. Its impacts, however, are visible in our communities, homes, and relationships. Social workers need to facilitate conversations on the impacts of racism within their communities.
Different experiences can influence how we are able to adapt to changes. When we think of racism in the context of Covid-19, Action such as microaggressions has an implication on mental health. The survivor of racism can be viewed as being within a cite of racism, that impacts them, and then ultimately partake in coping strategies within that environment.
Post-Traumatic Racism Trauma (PTRT)
Post-traumatic racism trauma has multiple triggers. These include microaggressions, blatant racism, witnessing racism, and witnessing the denial of racism. Feelings of isolation and social dislocation are negative outcomes of PTRT.
From a race equity lens, anti-black racism seeks to consider the impacts of racism on healthcare and mental health resources, how microaggression impacts the individual, the impacts of race on employment and poverty, how race leads to over-incarceration, involvement with child welfare, and educational outcomes. Historical contexts need to be considered, and not ignore the racism that exists in Canada’s history.
When using a race equity lens with COVID-19, we want to consider how employment factors – such as over-representation of individuals in frontline occupations may impact health. This includes the impacts of precarious work carried out by Temporary Foreign Workers who are under-served by our public healthcare system. Further employment factors such as precarious work and small business ownership also can have implications on the risk of contracting COVID-19. Microaggressions, such as the portrayal of black communities in the media – such as depictions of non-whites wearing masks – must also be considered. Lastly, healthcare and mental health resources should also be found. Pre-existing health conditions, access to healthcare, experiences of racism-related stress and PTRT within public and health environments all are influencing and interconnected factors for disproportional impact on persons of colour.
Racism and COVID-19
Continuing the race equity perspective, other components that arise from racism, such as poverty, can impact the social determinants of health through the housing circumstances of the community, access to financial supports (such as the CERB), and access to accurate health and welfare information. Over-incarceration issues, such as the spread of COVID-19 in prisons – who hold disproportionately higher numbers of persons of colour than the community at large – also create disparities in health between white and non-white populations. Incarcerated persons may also not get timely access to information for their own health and wellbeing.
Child welfare agencies who disproportionately work with non-white families also need to consider how their practices may impact children in care.
In regards to education, practitioners need to consider if their clients have access to Afrocentric material with reliable internet and digital devices. If schools are closed, do the parents have the ability to schedule homeschooling and have the needed resources. Will children have the academic materials needed to not fall behind in school once it is dismissed early? Social workers should also be aware of intergenerational families – thinking of grandparents and the extended family as a core part of the family system.
In the realm of public perception, there has been increased visibility of individuals with European ancestry not respecting the public healthcare calls for social distancing. Yet, there is a disproportionate policing of persons of colour for disobeying public health orders. An excellent example of this is the Trinity Bellwoods Park for both media coverage and policing. Covid-19 thus amplifies the disparities. Gender-based violence is also an area of concern – has increased since the onset of Covid-19. The environment of isolation makes it easier for abuse to thrive.
Lack of race-based data collection does not allow for there to be an inquiry into the full impacts of racism. The United Nations made a recommendation for the collection of disaggregated data by race, and Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec health organizations are taking the lead in collecting this data. To create change, we need to find the courage to be a change agent, listen and engage those impacted, and use a race equity lens in our work. A key consideration for for anti-oppressive practice that arose in this presentations discussion was the use of action committees and other tools within the social work organizations and colleges to fulfill advocacy roles without personally jepordizing ourselves in our jobs.
Practice Considerations
This webinar reaffirmed and highlighted the disadvantages of oppressed groups when health pandemics arise. It brought to light the idea of how individuals can come to experience PTSD-like symptoms as a result of systemic racism. The impacts of racism on the social determinants of health, combined with the impacts chronic stress on the immune system provide considerations on individuals who increasingly work in front-line and precarious work environments. The disproportionate risk placed on racialized persons, along with lack of data collection highlight a need for better data collection and policy to ameriolate the multiple health implications. As a social worker, advocacy for data collection and developing a more comprehensice understanding of the race equity lens for practice.
References
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2020). Race, health, and COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/webinar/race-health-and-covid-19