Hormonal Injustice: Environmental Toxicants as Drivers of Endocrine Health Disparities

[helvella]

Posting primarily about this paper's view on endocrine disruption but the sociological side is, of course, indivisible from that.

Hormonal Injustice: Environmental Toxicants as Drivers of Endocrine Health Disparities

Abstract

The toll of multiple endocrine disorders has increased substantially in recent decades, and marginalized populations bear a disproportionate burden of disease. Because of the significant individual and societal impact of these conditions, it is essential to identify and address all modifiable risk factors contributing to these disparities. Abundant evidence now links endocrine dysfunction with exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), with greater exposures to multiple EDCs occurring among vulnerable groups, such as racial/ethnic minorities, those with low incomes, and others with high endocrine disease burdens. Identifying and eliminating EDC exposures is an essential step in achieving endocrine health equity.

Keywords: Diabetes; Disparities; Endocrine health; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Environmental justice; Obesity; Reproductive; Thyroid.

Abstract only here:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/378...

Elsevier's "section snippets" - also known as do anything to avoid making the paper accessible - with full paper securely behind paywall:

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[HealthStarDust]

I am glad to see mention of health inequalities.

I can easily agree that EDC exposure will be highest amongst people who are Black and Brown, Women, and people with Mental Health and/or Learning Disabilities, and without a doubt the often accompanied by the overarching factor of low incomes or socioeconomic status intertwined in all those characteristics. All the aforementioned are generally less financially secure than thier counterparts.

However, while I admit I have only read the abstract as I simply can not bring myself to read the article just yet (and I probably never will) it is clear to me that this too is ultimately an effort of shifting blame away from institutionalised and very much structural discrimination against the aforementioned groups of people globally, as well as in the UK.

Now, let me 100% clear, this is not to say that people of other races or White people, or the other characteristics do not suffer the same consequences as Black and Brown people with endocrine health difficulties, or indeed other health difficulties. It is simply to say that it is unlikely that the latter suffer poor health solely as a result of their race, neither do they not endure discrimination solely on account of the aforementioned factors.

Edit: it is also true to say the more of those characteristics you identify with, the more likely you will suffer the harms of repeat institutionalised and structural discrimination in your life thus impact on care.