A joint panel discussion organised by the University of Oxford and the University of Kent BME/BAME Staff Networks.
Structural racism has increased mistrust and hesitancy to engage with the medical system among Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Historical examples of unethical experimentation and medical mistreatment of Black people has heightened suspicion of endeavours to promote public health."COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has now evolved and is being driven by anti-vaxxers who have weaponised the concerns of BAME communities based on genuine historical events by adding others relating to baseless claims that vaccines could, for example, violate religious laws or affect fertility" (Morgan 2021). Structural inequalities based on class, race, misinformation, and medical mistrust is harming the BAME community. Specifically, understanding and interrupting medical racism has become an urgent priority.
Moving the discussion from the present emergency of Covid-19 to understanding how medical racism affects our health and wellbeing, as well as practical steps that we can take as a community and individuals to protect ourselves and our families.
Speakers include:
Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu (Emeritus Professor of Nursing – Patron of Sickle Cell UK)
Dr Winston Morgan (Reader in Toxicology and Clinical Biochemistry)
Dr Mohammed Sakel (Consultant Neurorehabilitation Physician)
Dr Roberta Babb (Registered Clinical Psychologist and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist)
Dr Aadil El-Turabi (Vaccinologist – The Jenner Institute)
