Feb 28, 2026 By Baylor Keene 3 min read

Editor’s note: This is the first-place winner in the middle school division of the Black History Month Essay Contest sponsored annually by UPMC Washington Teen Outreach.

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Racism has a huge impact on Black health and is a horrible thing that can happen to individuals all around the world. Many people think that racism is mostly just a social issue, but that is certainly not the case; racism can also have an influence on healthcare. One of the main effects of racism is the harm it causes to Black people’s physical and mental health, which are both serious concerns. Racism negatively impacts Black health by increasing stress, limiting access to quality healthcare, and contributing to long-term physical and mental health problems.

Another thing that racism can cause is constant everyday stress. Stress is a significant issue that can lead to numerous other health concerns. These include high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and anxiety. Each one of these can lead to serious illness or even eventual death. If anxiety is left untreated or becomes uncontrollable, it may result in serious drug or alcohol addiction. Addiction is a very harmful condition that can leave people with significant debt, cancer, housing issues, and ultimately may lead to death. Considering all of these factors, racism can truly be a cause of stress, especially since Black people are discriminated against in healthcare.

Racism can also occur in health care settings, causing various issues. For instance, some doctors may not take Black patients’ pain seriously. They might think the patients are exaggerating or don’t really need care. Another problem is unequal treatment or misdiagnosis, both of which can lead to serious health issues. These experiences can create a lack of trust in the medical system. This distrust may stop people from seeking necessary healthcare and worsen their illnesses.

Racism can also impact mental health, specifically depression and trauma. Black suicide rates have significantly risen 54% since 2019 in youth and young adults. Rates for Black males are now four times higher than for Black females, with a rate of 14.59 per 100,000 suicides as of 2023. Suicide is now the second cause of death for African Americans aged 15-24. These rates are extremely disturbing, and this proves that we need to stop racism for the sake of America’s youth. Racism can affect trauma in significant and tangible ways, particularly since it is typically not an isolated incident but rather a recurring experience.

Racism greatly affects Black health and is a terrible thing that people everywhere can experience. One of the main effects of racism is the harm it causes to the physical and mental health of Black individuals, both of which are very important concerns. Racism negatively impacts the health of Black people by increasing stress levels, limiting access to quality medical care, and resulting in ongoing physical and mental health issues. At the end of the day, racism is a horrible thing and has taken a toll on Blacks around the world. Racism needs to come to a complete end.

Baylor Keene is in seventh grade at Canon-McMillan Middle School.