Racism, Not Race in Addiction Literature
The article “Racism, not race: Quantitative analysis of the use of race and racism in the addiction literature” was recently published in Social Science & Medicine. The study was led by former Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine student Spencer Dunleavy, MD, who is currently a resident at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.
Three faculty from the Section of General Internal Medicine and the Grayken Center for Addiction TTA co-authored the publication: Natrina Johnson, MD, Miriam Komaromy, MD, and Avik Chatterjee, MD.
The article assesses the frequency of the use of the terms “race” and “racism” in major addiction journals. While journal articles mention “race” not uncommonly, they mention “racism” vanishingly rarely, even in the same articles where “race” is mentioned.
The authors argue that journals are participating in the enforcement of ignorance on the role of racism in addiction policy and treatment that has led to current inequitable treatment systems and outcomes.
To read the full article click here.