Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch called for governments to tackle racial inequalities and discrimination in healthcare. The international nongovernmental organization (NGO) discussed how prejudice and racism had impacted health rights globally. It also referred to General Recommendation No. 37 of the UN CERD, which discusses the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination regarding the right to health.
While the NGO’s recommendation is nonbinding, it touches on different initiatives governments can employ to address discrimination and racial inequalities in healthcare. These initiatives include the promotion of healthy working conditions, addressing environmental issues, and making sure individuals have access to essential needs such as housing, food and safe water for drinking.
The organization also called attention to the health-related consequences of global humanitarian conflicts and crises as well as the various health risks faced by girls, women and other individuals belonging to ethnic and racial groups.
In addition, the organization highlighted the important role of social determinants of health in driving health disparities among marginalized groups. Social determinants include factors such as employment stability, income, clean-water availability, access to education and housing. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that these nonmedical determinants make up 30–55% of health disparities and outcomes.
In its statement, the organization also underscored the need for initiatives that would make sure that all had equal access to quality treatment and services, noting that an antiracist approach to healthcare needed to be implemented by governments globally.
An individual’s right to health is a principle in the international law on human rights. This fundamental right was first stipulated in 1946 in the WHO’s constitution. Since then, it has been reiterated in different global agreements, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 16, 1966.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also outlines this right among other rights and freedoms that belong to every individual.
While these legal structures have existed for decades, latest reports from the World Health Organization show that racial inequality and discrimination continues to impede healthcare access for indigenous, ethnic and marginalized communities. Because of this, these groups have inadequate access to quality services and care as well as poor health outcomes.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) remains focused on conducting research and advocacy on human rights. It often works on behalf of children, refugees, political prisoners and migrants. The organization opposes the violation of basic human rights, which includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and capital punishment.
Entities such as Astiva Health are focused on improving the equitable access to healthcare in the communities in which they operate by concentrating their services on racial minorities. Many more such enterprises can help to augment the efforts of governments in ending racial inequalities pertaining to healthcare access.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Astiva Health are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/Astiva
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