In a pioneering initiative, researchers from Michigan State University and Rutgers University are set to embark on a nationally funded study to investigate the profound effects of structural racism on housing, aging and health. This study, which is the first of its kind, will delve into the historical and contemporary practices that have perpetuated racial inequality in America.

Funding and scope of the study

The research is supported by a substantial $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging. The study will focus on the experiences of 800 black and white adults in Baltimore, examining how discriminatory policies over the past century have shaped their lives.

A change in research focus

According to Dick Sadler, associate professor at Michigan State University and key researcher on the project, this study aims to expand the understanding of structural racism beyond the traditional focus on residential segregation and redlining. Sadler points out that previous research has often been limited in scope, failing to consider the myriad ways in which racism seeped into various aspects of urban life.

Key areas of investigation

The study will explore several critical factors including: redlining, gentrification, predatory lending, urban renewal, freeway construction and segregation.

These elements will be analyzed for their impact on the neighborhoods, homes, schools and businesses they predominantly serve Black communitiesultimately revealing how these factors contribute to continued racial inequality.

Documenting racial inequities

Sadler and Danielle Beaty Moody, an associate professor at Rutgers, emphasize the importance of documenting the systemic disadvantages faced by black Americans. They argue that it is essential to identify and disentangle the various tools and strategies that have entrenched structural racism in urban environments.

Using existing research

The study will leverage data from the ongoing Healthy Aging in Diversity Neighborhoods across the Lifespan project. This dataset will provide information on cumulative lifetime exposure to historical and contemporary markers of structural racism in Baltimore neighborhoods, allowing researchers to develop comprehensive residential histories and activity spaces for participants.

The larger context of structural racism in health care

Research has consistently shown that structural racism has a significant impact on access to and quality of health care for racial and ethnic minorities. A study 2022 highlighted how systemic inequities in health care policy have historically favored white populations while disadvantaging minority groups. This ongoing problem underscores the need for studies like the one conducted by Michigan State and Rutgers that aim to illuminate the roots of these disparities.

Groundbreaking research led by Michigan State University and Rutgers University promises to shed light on the complex interplay of structural racism in housing, aging and health. By examining the historical context and current realities facing Black Americans, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the systemic challenges that perpetuate racial inequities. As findings emerge, they could pave the way for more effective policies and interventions aimed at dismantling these longstanding barriers.