This past fall, I took on the task of researching the impact the biologization of race can have on marginalized groups in the US, especially when discussing healthcare and more specifically asthma. I’ve seen asthma impact people in my community, and by combining my interest in structural barriers for disadvantaged groups, I was able to examine the various factors that influence these topics in today’s world. I worked with my PhD mentor, Joelle Julien, who is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology at UCLA. With her help, I was able to craft an 18-page paper on how these populations are disproportionately affected. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to read below and download the full paper.

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Abstract

Due to a mix of social, economic, and environmental factors, minority and low-income populations are disproportionately affected by asthma. The biologization of race – the misconception that race is primarily a biological or genetic construct, rather than a social construct – is a prevalent topic in today’s healthcare landscape when discussing the disparate impacts of asthma on different populations. Using frameworks like Critical Race Theory and intersectionality, this research investigates how historical and systemic injustices, such as poor housing conditions, exposure to environmental triggers, and inadequate healthcare access, worsen asthma symptoms and limit effective diagnosis, treatment, and management. Key findings demonstrate that air pollution significantly contributes to childhood asthma, with minority communities experiencing the highest levels of exposure due to the legacy of racialized US housing and economic policies. The role of implicit biases among healthcare workers is also examined. This paper makes a case for a holistic strategy to address asthma disparities, demonstrating the need to change policies to improve environmental conditions and guarantee fair healthcare access for affected populations in today’s changing world.