UvA anthropologist: Slavery continues to affect health generations later
Transatlantic slavery continues to influence the mental and physical health of descendants and the Dutch healthcare system to this day. This is evident from research conducted by anthropologist Alana Helberg-Proctor into the health effects of slavery.
Alana Helberg-Proctor argues that the history of slavery has a direct and indirect impact on the health of descendants and that historical ideas about white supremacy and Eurocentrism continue to influence healthcare practice and education. “This makes it not only a historical issue, but also a current healthcare and policy issue,” she says.
The UvA anthropologist conducted exploratory research on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). The research consisted of literature reviews and interviews with experts and concluded that there is still much work to be done in this area. “We still know very little about the impact of the history of slavery. There is a significant knowledge gap in the Netherlands and other European countries.”
Historical intertwining
For more than two hundred years, enslaved people were systematically subjected to (sexual) violence and emotional, mental and physical abuse. Medicine also played a role in this, according to Helberg-Proctor.
“During slavery, ship’s surgeons were involved in inspecting and ‘keeping healthy’ enslaved people as commodities. Once they arrived in the colonies, doctors were part of the medical service within the slavery system, usually under the supervision of the governor's personal physician.”
According to the researcher, this history has had an impact on the development of medical knowledge, institutions and ideas today. “Patients and healthcare professionals of colour still face racism and negative stereotyping. This undermines trust in the healthcare system and can contribute to a disrupted relationship between healthcare providers and patients and even to the avoidance of care.”
Double burdened
Helberg-Proctor refers to the descendants of enslaved people as “double burdened”: they carry the experiences of their ancestors from the history of slavery with them and often face racism and discrimination in today's society. This double burden can lead to chronic stress and, as a result, physical ailments.
“Experiences of violence, abuse and dehumanisation have been passed down through generations – often unconsciously – via upbringing, cultural practices and protective mechanisms,” says Helberg-Proctor. “In addition, many descendants are still in a vulnerable socio-economic position. In extreme cases, this can be accompanied by an internalised negative or destructive self-image.”
Greater awareness
The study advocates for a better understanding of the intergenerational effects and traumas of slavery in order to promote greater awareness and knowledge of this within the healthcare sector. Helberg-Proctor: “Only by better understanding the historical and current context in which descendants live can health disparities be reduced and healthcare improved.”
The Department of Health, Welfare and Sport has announced that it will launch a think tank next month with descendants of enslaved people, which will make proposals over the next three years to address the impact of the history of slavery on healthcare and welfare. Read here the VWS-report (in Dutch), written bij Helberg-Proctor.
