Worsening Racism Affecting Overall Health of Asian Americans

  • Worsening Racism Affecting Overall Health of Asian Americans

    A survey conducted by researchers at Washington State University showed that of the 400+ Asian American respondents, 30% had endured racism since the pandemic. Sarah Waters, an assistant professor at the universitg and one of the study authors, said that they expected reports of health problems from those who experienced racial discrimination.

    However based on their analysis of those who experienced negative health impacts as a result of racism incidents, the stress levels that Asian American are going through has exceeded the stress levels being experienced by the general public. .

    The respondents were also asked to cite actual situations as examples of how they particularly experienced racist behaviors. Results show that the racial discrimination ranged from directly affecting the victims to microaggressions like glaring.

    One Asian American respondent narrated how as she walked past a group of youngsters, she was called “Coronavirus” and told to go back to her country. The name callings were one of the most prominent racist behaviors along with the hurling of insults like “China virus” and “kung flu” … terms used by former president Trump in referring to the coronavirus.

    The Most Recent Acts of Racial Aggression Resulted in Deaths

    Take note that the survey created by lead researcher and co-author Suyeon Lee, was conducted two months after the coronavirus outbreak started affecting the U.S., which was around May and June 2020. Today however, the acts of racism against Asian Americans have worsened as they now involve acts of aggressions including fatal and violent attacks.

    Apparently, the worsening social problem has all the more increased the negative health effects among Asian Americans as the most recent incidents resulted in deaths. Recently in Atlanta, a shooting spree launched by a caucasian gunman in 3 Georgia health spas, claimed the lives of 8 eight Asian American women.

    Social Support can Help Asian Americans Slow Down the Negative Health Effects of Racism

    The study points to providing social support to help Asian Americans endure and slow down the bad effects of the growing racist behaviors against this minority group.

    The survey showed that those who indicated experiencing discrimination have fewer health symptoms because they have better social support than others. Yet according to Water, obtaining beneficial social support during these times can be difficult in some areas, due to the required social distancing and quarantine mandate amids an ongoing pandemic.

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