A Difference-in-Differences Analysis of Youth Smoking and a Ban on Sales of Flavored Tobacco Products in San Francisco, California
Abigail S. Friedman
Abstract
Discussion | Racism has been shown to be detrimental to the health of individuals and families. 1 This analysis of population-based, demographically diverse, national data suggests that children in the United States are not impervious to racism and discrimination in their daily lives, with 4.8% reporting being treated unfairly because of their race, ethnicity, or color. Overall, children from non-White groups or from lower-income households were more likely to report discrimination. Among Black children, 10.0% reported racism, with a higher likelihood of these experiences among Black children in households with higher incomes. Although the perpetrators of racism were mostly peers, teachers and other adults were often reported as the source of this unfair treatment, highlighting the critical need to ensure antiracism practice and address structural racism within educational communities, which are important social determinants of health. Limitations of this study include the use of self-reported data. Pediatricians should consider screening for racism as a component of adverse childhood experiences.