racism
(RAY-sih-zum)
The structures, policies, practices, beliefs, and behaviors in a society that create an unfair advantage for some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on their race or ethnic group. Racism affects the physical, social, and economic conditions of where people live, learn, work, and play, including access to health care services. It is a serious problem and can lead to poor health outcomes, such as higher rates of disease and death in certain racial and ethnic groups.