Why does race matter so profoundly for health? David R. Williams developed a scale to measure the impact of discrimination on well-being, going beyond traditional measures like income and education to reveal how factors like implicit bias, residential segregation and negative stereotypes create and sustain inequality. In this eye-opening talk, Williams presents evidence for how racism is producing a rigged system -- and offers hopeful examples of programs across the US that are working to dismantle discrimination.

David R. Williams: How racism makes us sick

How racism makes us sick

Racism's profound impact on health is not just about income or education; it's a rigged system disadvantaging racial groups.

Discrimination, both major and minor, elevates risk for diseases from hypertension to heart disease, affecting health profoundly.

Racism's health toll is stark: blacks live shorter lives than whites at all education levels, driven by systemic discrimination.