Racism and Social Determinants of Psychosis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes racism as a significant public health threat, leading to inequities within institutions and social environments. This review focuses on the impact of ethnoracial disparities on the risk of experiencing psychosis. In the United States, Black and Latinx communities are more likely to report psychotic experiences compared to White populations, primarily due to factors such as racial discrimination, food insecurity, and police violence. To mitigate the risk of psychosis, it is crucial to dismantle discriminatory structures, as the chronic stress and biological consequences of race-based stress and trauma can directly affect future generations, including pregnant Black and Latina women. While early psychosis interventions hold promise, they need to be more accessible and address the specific adversities related to racism faced by Black and Latinx individuals in their communities and social contexts.