Racism, Discrimination, and Health​:

Background

Since 2023, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Regional Office for Europe, and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) have collaborated through the DisQo Stakeholder Network to address racism and discrimination as fundamental determinants of health. The resulting participatory forum has been bridging the gap between policy makers and authorities, people with lived experience, civil society, researchers and health care professionals. The conversation has taken place through a series of events and conferences, with the first in 2023 and the second in 2024. With efforts grounded in principles such as participation, accountability, and community representation in policymaking, OHCHR, EPHA and DisQo have been providing concrete input to the EU’s anti-racism policy. 

The ‘Right to Health of People of African Descent: Part 2 of the Racism, Discrimination and Health Series’ held on June 26th and 27th, was a two-day conference organised by EPHA and OHCHR, in cooperation with Artikel 1 Midden Nederland and De Hofnar Present B.V from the Netherlands. The event brought together leading experts and stakeholders from the European Commission, NGOs, civil society and academia. The conference forum shed light on the systemic issues of racism and discrimination and their profound impacts on the health of people of African Descent. The conference’s main goal was to contribute to the development of the post-2025 EU Anti-racism Action Plan through formulating concrete recommendations. 

During this event, those recommendations, in form of a consultation report, will formally be handed over to the European Commission. After welcoming words from OHCHR and EPHA, the report will be presented and officially handed over. The Commission will then provide its reflections on the report, and on ways forward.  After this, there will be space for an exchange with the audience to add crucial considerations to the recommendations. 

The recommendations covered in the report relate to: 

1. Recognising racism and discrimination as determinants of health; 
2. Meaningful participation of affected communities, experts, academics and other relevant stakeholders; 
3. Respectful and inclusive language; 
4. Disaggregated equality data; 
5. Breaking down silos and boosting policy mainstreaming; 
6. Racism and discrimination in healthcare and science.