What is "systemic racism"?

Systemic racism refers to the ways in which structured practices, policies, and norms within institutions can create and maintain racial inequities. The correct answer highlights that this kind of racism is institutionalized discrimination that contributes significantly to health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups. This means that systemic racism is embedded in healthcare systems, affecting access to resources, quality of care, and overall health outcomes.

For instance, systemic racism can lead to unequal treatment of patients based on their race, bias in medical research that overlooks the health issues faced by minorities, and socioeconomic factors that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. By understanding systemic racism in this way, it becomes clear how it can shape the health landscape and lead to significant disparities in health outcomes.

The other options do not accurately encompass the broad impact of systemic racism. Describing it as unrelated to health misses its profound implications on health equity. Focusing solely on economic inequality fails to capture the various spheres in which systemic racism functions, including healthcare. Lastly, emphasizing cultural heritage in healthcare does not address the fundamental issues of discrimination and inequality that are at the heart of systemic racism.