Persistent stress of racist society leads to high black infant mortality
YOUNGSTOWN
Unrelenting stress created by race and racism is part of what is at the root of Mahoning County having some of the highest black infant mortality rates in Ohio and in the nation.
Research shows that blacks who live in a racist society are under stress, causing the body to release cortisol, a stress manager, continually, which scientists are beginning to think is part of the problem, said Frances Frazier, a speaker at today’s kickoff of “A Community Dialogue on Race: Creating a Healthier Community. Saving Babies.”
“Blacks have higher everything, such as blood pressure and diabetes, because of stress that we don’t know how to turn off,” said Frazier, senior associate for Everyday Democracy, a national organization that helps local communities find ways for all kinds of people to think, talk and work together to solve problems.
“You were invited to this ‘Community Dialogue on Race’ to put you in conversations with each other and see if you want to continue the discussion,” said Frazier, who put the more than 150 participants in small groups to talk about topics such as racial and/or ethnic background, family values, worries and concerns about the community they live in, whether race has anything to do with it, and what would have to happen to make it a healthier place to live.
Read more about the event in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.