Has Psychology Fulfilled Dr. Kings Vision?
King was ahead of his time in his belief that social structures that foster social injustice and discrimination can lead to negative health outcomes and reduce psychological wellness, according to Dr. Thomas A. Parham, PhD, professor of Psychology at the University of California at Irvine, and another APA panelist. Today, 40 years later, there is a growing body of published research that supports King’s hypothesis. Currently, hundreds of studies, most published in psychological and medical journals within the last ten years, document the effects of racial discrimination on physical health including blood pressure and heart disease. While some health experts regard this evidence as preliminary, others now consider racism to be a health risk and a public health problem. Understanding Modern Day Racism and Building a More Culturally Competent Mental Health Services Infrastructure King would be pleased with the advancements made within the fields of counseling and psychology toward more cu
