133 - COVID-19, Racism, and Kidney Disease
How do social injustices contribute to health problems among Black Americans? Today, we look at racial disparities through the lens of kidney disease. Dr. Tanjala Purnell and Dr. Deidra Crews talk with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about a confluence of factors—including harmful experiences and societal barriers to equal housing, employment, and other opportunities—that contributes to Black Americans experiencing kidney failure at three times the rate of whites. They also talk about the concept of “weathering,” the added complexities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what actions individuals can take to start addressing systemic health inequities caused by racism.