Health Disparities and Race: Connections in the Sports World

Recently I took a course outside of my psychology and sport realm.  It was a Public Health course through the University of Minnesota taught by Glynis Shea.  We discussed how to frame ideas to improve communication and avoid triggering alarming thoughts through what we say.  We also discussed why there are health disparities in this world, and what we can do as public health persons to assist with communication and health strategies. For me, as an athletic trainer I work with a variety of diverse groups in the sports world.  One week I am covering a hockey game in Edina, and the next covering a basketball game in North Minneapolis.  This is a perfect example of a strong discussion point that really intrigued me; health disparities should not be as much about race, but more about place, environment and systems and structures.  When I work an event in Edina, especially hockey, there are unlimited funds, parents are supporting their children in the stands, and the coaching staff is top notch; however there is limited diversity in this group.

 When I work an event in North Minneapolis, it is obvious there is low income, barely anyone in the stands to support the players, and the events are very unorganized and chaotic, but a lot more diversity.  This impacts me on a daily basis.  To be honest, working in North is a lot more stressful then working in Edina, but why is this? I don't think it has to be this way, but as we discussed in class, this has a lot to do with structural racism.  Structural racism involves racial profiling, racial redlining, and environmental racism.  In 1935, MN labeled certain areas the negro slum and this was eventually where a lot of African Americans moved to because of cost reasons.  It was already a struggling environment before anyone moved there, limited parks, limited opportunity to make money, and lack of access to health care.  It seemed that because of racial reasons, the whites put the blacks in a bad neighborhood to prevent them from succeeding and unfortunately this is still an issue today.  Every child or individual deserves a fair chance for good health, participation in activity, and access to healthy food items and health care.

I think the sports world, especially at the high school level could be a great way to help address some of these issues. For me, I can help out as a health care professional.  Athletic trainer's can provide illness and injury prevention education that could be a valuable tool for kids to use the rest of their lives. I am going to continue providing my services to under served communities because they deserve my education and expertise just as much as kids in wealthier neighborhoods.  I understand a lot of these issues come from a lack of funding, but I am still able to devote my time to help those in need.  Sports are important for development and if I can provide encouragement for participation, I think it could help decrease a small amount of health disparity or racial disparity that has been going on in Minnesota since the beginning.