Between Structural and Institutional Racism: Reflections on the Health of the Black Population in the Context of Covid-19

Abstract

Introduction: The social determination of health understands that the social structure has a direct influence on the health-disease process. Based on these assumptions, the political, historical and socioeconomic contexts must be considered when it comes to interventions aimed at improving health and living conditions History shows that the black population has experienced, since the period of slavery, a condition of vulnerability social and state neglect. Objective To reflect on the health condition of the black population in the covid-19 pandemic based on structural and institutional racism. Methodology This study is qualitative, in a theoretical essay format. So it seeks to understand racism in the health of the black population in the context of the new coronavirus pandemic. The essayist form experiences the dialogue with different authors in a critical and reflective way to understand reality. Results The fragility of the registration of race and color information can serve as a warning to expose the historical institutional racism of the health sector, through the denial of compliance with Ordinance No. 344, non-adherence to PNSIPN and also in the absence of stimulus from management of the health sector to fill in the race and color register by the workers. It is understood that in addition to the history of negligence that is still present today, the black population deals with narratives that go against the grain of science and the absence of specific policies for their protection. Final Considerations The importance of knowing the life and health condition of this population is highlighted in order to organize, in a critical and equitable way, the planning of health action. Thus, in situations of outbreaks and epidemics, it is possible to understand how the black population can be affected and what are the main ways to ensure protection from injuries and diseases.