Investigating Contemporary Medical Apartheid: A Content Analysis
Disciplines
Medical Humanities | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This study employs content analysis to examine contemporary examples of medical apartheid, using Harriet A. Washington’s seminal book Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to Present as a foundational framework. Medical apartheid refers to the historical and ongoing systemic racial disparities in medical treatment, research, and healthcare access. While Washington’s work primarily explores past abuses, this research investigates whether similar patterns persist today. By analyzing recent news articles, medical case studies, and policy reports, this study identifies recurring themes of racial discrimination in healthcare, including unequal access to treatment, medical neglect, and exploitative research practices. The research follows a grounded theory methodology, including coding selected sources for key themes such as institutional bias, medical experimentation, and healthcare inequities. Using Washingtons categories of medical exploitation, such as non-consensual experimentation, inadequate treatment, and racialized medical myths, this study further assesses the extent to which contemporary healthcare practices mirror historical injustices. By systematically examining media and scholarly reports from the past decade, this study aims to determine whether racial disparities in healthcare today constitute a modern form of medical apartheid. Findings from this study will contribute to ongoing discussions about health equity and racial justice in medicine. Understanding the structural connections between historical and contemporary medical racism is essential for advocating systemic reforms. This research highlights the need for greater accountability, ethical medical practices, and policies that address racial disparities in healthcare access and treatment. Ultimately, this project underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing medical apartheid in order to promote equitable healthcare for all.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Evelina Sterling
Investigating Contemporary Medical Apartheid: A Content Analysis
This study employs content analysis to examine contemporary examples of medical apartheid, using Harriet A. Washington’s seminal book Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to Present as a foundational framework. Medical apartheid refers to the historical and ongoing systemic racial disparities in medical treatment, research, and healthcare access. While Washington’s work primarily explores past abuses, this research investigates whether similar patterns persist today. By analyzing recent news articles, medical case studies, and policy reports, this study identifies recurring themes of racial discrimination in healthcare, including unequal access to treatment, medical neglect, and exploitative research practices. The research follows a grounded theory methodology, including coding selected sources for key themes such as institutional bias, medical experimentation, and healthcare inequities. Using Washingtons categories of medical exploitation, such as non-consensual experimentation, inadequate treatment, and racialized medical myths, this study further assesses the extent to which contemporary healthcare practices mirror historical injustices. By systematically examining media and scholarly reports from the past decade, this study aims to determine whether racial disparities in healthcare today constitute a modern form of medical apartheid. Findings from this study will contribute to ongoing discussions about health equity and racial justice in medicine. Understanding the structural connections between historical and contemporary medical racism is essential for advocating systemic reforms. This research highlights the need for greater accountability, ethical medical practices, and policies that address racial disparities in healthcare access and treatment. Ultimately, this project underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing medical apartheid in order to promote equitable healthcare for all.