Tackling Racism Through the Social-Ecological Model: Insights for Public Health

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Due Date Social Ecological Model (SEM) The social-ecological model is a public health framework used to address the various complexities in health. This model showcases the relationship between an individual, the community, interpersonal, organization, and society. The SME promotes the understanding of the multifaceted factors that contribute to racism with an aim to eliminate racism and promote an equitable society strategically on racism and anti-racism (A Social-Ecological Model of Racism & Anti-Racism, n.d.) The following provides an overview of the different levels of the Social Ecological Model addressing the negative and positive aspects of racism among ethnical minorities. Starting with the positive factors, at the individual level the SEM addresses antiracism through personal reflection of racialized ideologies. Ethnical Minorities must understand that racism is conceptualized by their personal experiences and has shaped their racial socialization and identities. This involves identifying the history of a personal history of racism and the likelihood of being a victim or perpetrator of racism. At the interpersonal level, the model proposes appreciation of other people's identities, their experiences, and perspectives. Racists used intriguing language with racist statements without knowing they had hurt their surroundings. Other ethnicities especially black and African Americans are subjected to stereotypes of evil deeds by the whites. Avoiding these presumptions about other ethnicities is a step towards improving interpersonal relationships. Apologizing and making reparations for harm caused is a step towards antiracism. At the community level, the community and institutions should formulate and uphold policies, procedures, and practices that are non-discriminatory and foster equity in opportunities, privilege, resource allocation, and power. At the societal level, the social-ecological model proposes ideologies, norms, values, laws, and beliefs that are antiracists. This involves the value of humanity and protecting the fundamental rights of all individuals without bias. Society ought to channel its resources to ethnical minorities who have faced the adversity of racism. It should also acknowledge the root cause of racism and provide adequate and viable solutions through leadership and equity. The negative factors of the SEM that negatively impact racial equity in ethnical minorities at the Individual Level include Internalized Racism. Ethnic minorities have been stereotyped with different attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors which have made them believe in such ideologies and accept to be subjects of racism (Banaji et al., 2021). Most ethnicities have accepted the negative stereotypes and attitudes and internalized them as part of their lives. At the interpersonal level, racial profiling of African Americans and minorities on drugs, criminal activities, and poverty stirs hate and disparity among the ethnic groups. This has increased the rate of incarceration and poverty among ethnical minorities due to the stringent society that is against them. Most institutional and community policies, practices, and procedures are discriminatory in the United States against ethnical minorities. Opportunities, resources, and privilege are distributed according to cultural expressions and physical traits inhibiting SEM’s efforts on antiracism. Societal stipulations, policies, procedures, and practices undermine the efforts of the SEM. In society, racism is regarded as a standard of human value, and whiteness is prioritized and acknowledged as the legitimate human race compared to other ethnicities. Ethnical minorities live in lower neighborhoods, they are subjected to longer sentences, they have less access to quality health care, and are victims of environmental hazards. Theory for Health Education and Promotion The most effective theory that describes racial inequities in ethnic minorities is social cognitive theory which describes the mental health of these vulnerable groups. This theory describes the influence of other people’s actions, experiences, and environmental factors on individual health behaviors. The theory explains the link between discrimination and depression. Ethnic minorities in American society raise concerns about being rejected, invalidated, and confirmed negative stereotypes. Research shows that exposure to interpersonal ethnic and racial discrimination enacted in an interpersonal context is prevalent among members of historically minoritized and ethnic groups (Mikrut et al., 2022). Racial discrimination can be deduced from childhood and children have the cognitive ability to perceive discrimination at the interpersonal level. Discrimination of ethnic communities ignites depression through social cognition. Interconnected thoughts, emotions, and sensations compromise the mental health of vulnerable groups. The socio-cognitive model examines the psychological consequences of exposure to racial and ethnic discrimination. Racial profiling, stigmatization, unlawful incarceration, police brutality, invalidation, and rejection are some of the prevalent factors for the link between discrimination at all levels in the SEM and mental health problems. Program Goal & Objective Ethnic communities in American society are disadvantaged which makes them a burden in society. Mental health problems among ethnic minorities are high and the goal is to mitigate racial disparity to cut healthcare costs and taxes in the burdensome problem in the American society. The objective is to put a strong focus on eliminating health disparities by addressing the intersectionality of racial discrimination and creating equal opportunities and privileges for people to live healthily and happily. It also involves identifying the social determinants of health in society, promoting health equity, and increasing health literacy among ethnic minorities. Community Partner The most effective community partner to address mental health illness among ethnic minorities is the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). This alliance is committed to addressing mental health problems across all communities with an aim to provide better health outcomes. This organization is multifaceted and collaborates with stakeholders, policymakers, mental health professionals, and communities to achieve better mental health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This alliance is ideal since it provides the necessary resources and...