Structural Racism and Access to Care
Communities with predominantly racial or ethnic minoritized residents are the same communities most affected by mental health workforce shortages. The Boston Medical Center Health Care System serves these communities.
Our Story
We understand that structural inequities have led to low access to high quality treatments for PTSD in communities most affected by trauma and violence.
We develop and implement multi-level interventions to support individuals, communities, and health systems in promoting trauma recovery.
We use the latest advances in implementation science to improve the effectiveness and equity of PTSD treatments in routine care.
Structural racism has led to low access to mental health services in racial minoritized communities.
As you can see below, this map reflects the racial majority in various neighborhoods in the Boston area.
Notice that racial and ethnic minoritized neighborhoods are also federally designated health professional shortage areas.
These are the areas that RESTORE centers in our work.
PTSD Prevalence and Access to Care
There are racial and ethnic inequities in PTSD diagnosis and access to treatment in the US
All primary care patients
Patients with PTSD
Patients who have access to treatment
Patients who received 4+ PTSD treatment sessions
The Treatment Gap
In healthcare settings that provide care to low income and minoritized communities, PTSD incidence is high and access to treatment is low.
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Legend
Majority White
Majority Black
Majority Hispanic
Majority Asian
Majority Multiple Race/Other
BMC Health Centers that are in federally designated health professional shortage areas
BMC Health Centers that are not federally designated health professional shortage areas
Boston Medical Center
Whittier Street Health Center
Dimock Center
Harvard Street Neighborhood
Health Center
Mattapan Community Health Center
Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center
Manet Community
Health Center
South Boston Community Center
Codman Square Health Center
Dorchester House
Multi-Service Center
Upham's Corner Health Center
Geiger-Gibson Community
Health Center
South Boston Community Center
Whittier Street Health Center
Geiger-Gibson Community
Health Center
Dimock Center
Dorchester House
Multi-Service Center
Harvard Street Neighborhood
Health Center
Codman Square Health Center
Mattapan Community Health Center
Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center
Manet Community
Health Center
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Boston Medical Center
Upham's Corner Health Center