{"id":75950,"date":"2020-06-10T15:20:02","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T19:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/?p=75950"},"modified":"2020-07-27T16:43:49","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T20:43:49","slug":"police-brutality-is-not-just-a-criminal-justice-issue-but-a-public-health-issue-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncrc.org\/police-brutality-is-not-just-a-criminal-justice-issue-but-a-public-health-issue-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Police brutality is not just a criminal justice issue, but a public health issue too"},"content":{"rendered":"

The death of George Floyd and subsequent nationwide protests have brought new visibility to the connection between police brutality, criminal justice and public health. Now, medical professionals are substantiating claims from activists regarding the harmful impacts of institutionalized racism. Several physicians\u2019 associations recently released statements condemning police brutality, <\/span>emphasizing racism as a public health issue<\/span><\/a> and advocating for systemic change. Law enforcement violence rooted in racism contributes to adverse physical and mental health outcomes, particularly among marginalized groups like Black Americans. However, by addressing the underlying sources of police brutality through structural change, governments and communities can prevent further acts of brutality and improve the overall health of the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

Police violence perpetually threatens the physical health of Black Americans. In 2019, police killed an estimated <\/span>1,099 individuals<\/span><\/a> in the United States. Black people were three times more likely to be killed by police than White people. Additionally, police interventions can take a physical toll on victims through injury. <\/span>The <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC) estimated that 85,075 nonfatal injuries occurred in 2018 due to legal intervention. <\/span>One study found Black people were almost <\/span>five times<\/span><\/a> more likely to have a police intervention-related injury than White people. <\/span>These injuries can be so severe that they lead to hospitalization, disability and death<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Racism and discrimination can <\/span>increase the risk of chronic diseases<\/span><\/a> such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and mental illnesses in the Black community. Even the presence of law enforcement may be linked to increased risk of chronic diseases \u2013\u2013 one study found that living in <\/span>neighborhoods with high rates of use of force by police against pedestrians is associated with an <\/span>increased risk for diabetes and obesity<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> Racism also affects health outcomes by limiting access to socioeconomic resources and growth. It can <\/span>impede<\/span><\/a> one\u2019s ability to attain education, seek employment and have a high earning potential. <\/span>Among youth<\/span><\/a>, exposure to violence from school-based law enforcement officers may inhibit educational and social growth, both of which are key determinants of health.\u00a0<\/span>
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