structural racism
(STRUK-cher-ul RAY-sih-zum)
A system of organizational and institutional policies created over time that support a continued unfair advantage for some people and unfair or harmful treatment of others based on their race or ethnic group. Structural racism comes from deep patterns of social, economic, and cultural differences that have developed over time between different groups of people. It affects the physical, social, and economic conditions of where people live, learn, work, and play. Structural racism is a serious problem and can lead to poor health outcomes, such as higher rates of disease and death in certain racial and ethnic groups.