Otis Brawley & Robert Winn discuss the killing of Tyre Nichols and the power dynamics in policing—and health care
Editor Notes

With the recent killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, it has caused us to again reexamine the structural bias and racism present in policing and other institutions. Structural racism involves a system where policies and practices, cultural representations, and norms work to perpetuate inequities among racial groups. Structural racism affects all aspects of life for people of color, and it exists in a variety of institutions in the United States, such as policing and law enforcement, education, politics, and especially health care.

Brawley and Winn stated the importance of “physicians and public health professionals, as individuals in positions of power, to reflect on the problems in policing in America, and identify areas where these problems are also present in health care.”

Winn discusses the importance of understanding the structures that can perpetuate inequalities. He says, “Recognizing that structure matters. And as we get adequate care, we also have to account for the structures that are sometimes even creating and contributing to the disease.”

During their chat, they discuss ways to combat implicit bias and structural racism. Brawley says, “I think the way to overcome implicit bias—and all of us have it—is to realize that these disparities exist, number one.” For Brawley, “The way to fight it is to first be cognizant of it, and then be able to hopefully develop these conversations where policies will help us get through this that don’t exist today. Hopefully with some thoughtfulness and some action, we can do better.”

It becomes important to pay attention to these issues in society particularly in health care, and continuing these conversations around structural bias and racism present in American institutions is crucial. Since structural racism is embedded in many institutions, it will take commitment and effort to dismantle. Understanding our own biases and working to overcome them is a first step.

Please read the full article,

Otis Brawley, a medical oncologist, and Rob Winn, Director of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University Had a discussion on structural biases and racism in law enforcement and health care in a recent conversation with The Cancer Letter.

Otis Brawley & Robert Winn discuss the killing of Tyre Nichols and the power dynamics in policing—and health care

Trending Topics

Features

Download and distribute powerful vaccination QI resources for your community.

Sign up now to support health equity and sustainable health outcomes in your community.

MCED tests use a simple blood draw to screen for many kinds of cancer at once.

FYHN is a bridge connecting health information providers to BIPOC communities in a trusted environment.

Discover an honest look at our Medicare system.

ARC was launched to create a network of community clinicians to diversify and bring clinical trials to communities of color and other communities that have been underrepresented.

The single most important purpose of our healthcare system is to reduce patient risk for an acute event.

Related Posts
Top Nursing Schools in Michigan – Explore Accredited BSN & MSN Programs

allnurses

Minority Mental Health Month D.C.: Healing Starts Here | Fyh.news

washingtoninformer

Deion Sanders Resilient Return: A Coach’s Battle and a Powerful Message
Scroll to Top
Featured Articles
A group of diverse nursing students smiling on campus in Michigan, representing top accredited nursing programs in 2025
Top Nursing Schools in Michigan – Explore Accredited BSN & MSN Programs

allnurses

Minority Mental Health Month D.C. Healing Starts Here Fyh.news
Minority Mental Health Month D.C.: Healing Starts Here | Fyh.news

washingtoninformer

Deion Sanders coaching Colorado Buffaloes after cancer recovery
Deion Sanders Resilient Return: A Coach's Battle and a Powerful Message
Las Vegas Homelessness Outreach Programs Expand Help
Las Vegas Homelessness Outreach Programs Expand Help

lasvegassun

LGBTQ Mental Health Youth Perspectives on Support
LGBTQ Mental Health: Youth Perspectives on Support

thefreelibrary

HIV Care Black Men COVID 19s Impact in the US South
HIV Care Black Men: COVID-19’s Impact in the US South

pubmed

Categories
BIPOC News
Cancer
Clinical Trials
Diseases of the Body
Environment
Health Data
Health Equity Events
Health Policy
Heart Health
kidney Health
LGBTQ Health
Mental Health
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest news​
All Stories
A group of diverse nursing students smiling on campus in Michigan, representing top accredited nursing programs in 2025
Top Nursing Schools in Michigan – Explore Accredited BSN & MSN Programs

allnurses

Minority Mental Health Month D.C. Healing Starts Here Fyh.news
Minority Mental Health Month D.C.: Healing Starts Here | Fyh.news

washingtoninformer

Deion Sanders coaching Colorado Buffaloes after cancer recovery
Deion Sanders Resilient Return: A Coach's Battle and a Powerful Message
BIPOC News
5 Screenings Every Black Adult Should Ask About Now | Fyh.news
Don’t Wait: 5 Screenings Every Black Adult Should Ask About Now
Mental Health Support for Latinas in the Perinatal Period | FYH
Mental Health Support for Latinas in the Perinatal Period | FYH

pubmed

Racial Diversity in Scientists Could Boost Black Clinical Trial Enrollment.jpg
Racial Diversity in Scientists Could Boost Black Clinical Trial Enrollment

Environment
Las Vegas Homelessness Outreach Programs Expand Help
Las Vegas Homelessness Outreach Programs Expand Help

lasvegassun

California Wildfire Rebuilding Bill Prioritizes Low Income Housing fyh.news
California Wildfire Rebuilding Bill Prioritizes Low Income Housing

newsbreak

Climate Change Women's Health Peru: Lived Experiences
Climate Change Women's Health Peru: Lived Experiences

pubmed

Work Force
A group of diverse nursing students smiling on campus in Michigan, representing top accredited nursing programs in 2025
Top Nursing Schools in Michigan – Explore Accredited BSN & MSN Programs

allnurses

HIV Care Black Men COVID 19s Impact in the US South
HIV Care Black Men: COVID-19’s Impact in the US South

pubmed

Racial Disparities in CKD Care US Cohort Findings Fyh.news.jpg
Racial Disparities in CKD Care: US Cohort Findings | Fyh.news

pubmed

Clinical Trials
Community health worker speaking with an elder in a diverse neighborhood, representing racial and Indigenous health equity outreach.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invites applications for research to advance r...

philanthropynewsdigest

TSU Breast Cancer Screening Program Awarded $2M Grant
TSU Breast Cancer Screening Program Awarded $2M Grant | Fyh.news

stylemagazine

Woman using FDA-approved at-home HPV test by Teal Health
FDA Approves At-Home HPV Test for Cervical Cancer Screening | Teal Health

exbulletin

Vaccines and Outbreaks
Illustration of a multicultural team of doctors and nurses caring for newborns in a hospital nursery, symbolizing RSV immunization and health equity.
Shielding Newborns: How Hospitals Can Close the RSV Protection Gap
measles-outbreak-2025-vaccination
Measles Outbreak 2025: Causes, Impact, and Prevention Strategies
AP22082580247611-768x432
Continuing surveillance of emerging disease threats is vital for public healt...

statnews

Other Categories
Cancer
Read the latest Cancer stories trending around the world
Diseases of the Body
Read about the latest Diseases of the Body trending around the world
Friday Webinars
Every Friday, we bring you insightful webinars covering critical topics in healthcare, data equity, and policy reform.
Health Data
Read the latest Health Data stories trending around the world
Health Equity Events
Read the best Health Equity Events around the country.
Health Policy
Read the latest Health Policy stories trending around the world
Heart Health
Read the latest on Heart Health News, Stories and Tips.
kidney Health
Read more trending News about Kidney Health, Stories and Tips.
LGBTQ Health
Read the latest LGBTQ Health stories trending around the world
Lift Every Voice Patient Network
Mental Health
Read the latest Mental Health stories trending around the world
Original Story
Read the latest stories from For Your Health News trending now