Prevent Harm: Toxic Stress, Racism & Poverty 03/2021 Position Paper
Table of Contents
About the Preventing Harm: Toxic Stress, Racism & Poverty Position Paper
Racism and poverty are two major drivers of toxic stress, which harms families and communities across the United States. This stress can lead to a large number of adverse health effects and outcomes, particularly in children, causing long-term health issues and even reducing life expectancy.
Our latest position paper focuses on this urgent topic. In particular, we note the importance of addressing these social ills at their core. By doing this, we can help everyone thrive.
As one of Ohio’s largest behavioral health agencies, OhioGuidestone recognizes our commitment to the families and communities we serve and the need to eliminate sources of toxic stress in their lives as a preventative public health goal. Preventing harm from racism & poverty is not an option for us as it is the only path toward a true healthy society. Thus, we call on health providers and public policymakers in all fields to address the interconnected systemic inequities and injustices of racism and poverty that harm the people we are dedicated to serve.
But for health and wellness to flourish, racism and poverty both must be eliminated.
Read below and visit our Position Papers page to explore the rest of our releases!
Who Should Read This Position Paper?
At the Institute, our Position Papers are accessible and free to anyone looking to learn! However, we encourage the following groups to use this paper and the contents immediately to better improve behavioral healthcare for our communities:
- Healthcare providers
- Public health researchers
- Policymakers
- Community advocates
What’s Inside?
- Takeaways & Action Items.
- Racism & Poverty- connection to toxic stress.
- The urgency of 2020.
- Mechanisms of Harm: Racism
- Learn more about four different levels of racism.
- Mechanisms of Harm: Poverty.
- Why the Stress of Poverty and Racism is so Dangerous.
- Public Health Strategies.
- Communities as public health initiative leaders.
- What is a community?
- Supporting Resources and References
- Example: 2019 Health Value Dashboard from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO)
Feedback & Questions
The Institute of Family & Community Impact, an initiative of OhioGuidestone, understands all of our work is informed by the communities we serve. Have questions about who we are or what we do? Or have a suggestion for a future Position Paper topic? Visit our FAQ page or contact us today.
