An Instagram post of racially charged remarks has sparked controversy at Indiana University's medical school. Black graduates of the school say it illustrates broader problems within the school, ranging from an out-dated curriculum to a lack of Black doctors.

Systemic racism has a big impact on the health of black Americans. They are more likely to have health conditions like diabetes or hypertension- and more likely to die from them. Racism in medicine takes many forms, and one is a foundation of mistrust and misunderstanding.

Demonstrations are flaring up across the country to protest the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police. Theyre also calling attention to broader inequalities. One of those areas -- health disparities -- kills Black Americans in massive numbers.

Side Effects Public Media's Lauren Bavis spoke with Ogbonnaya Omenka, a professor of public health and health disparities at Butler University, about protesting during a pandemic.

Health care providers say they marching against systemic racism in health care, and health disparities -- calling it a public health crisis.

The protest, White Coats For Black Lives, was organized to address health disparities and racism in medicine.

New research from the Polis Center at IUPUI digs into why black residents in Marion County are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The reasons are based on systemic racism, historic inequities and social factors.

In Marion County, black residents make up about 30 percent of the population. And early data shows they are almost twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus, compared to white residents.

People who live in polluted areas are more likely to have the underlying heart and lung conditions that put them at a greater risk from COVID-19.

Health leaders, advocates and policymakers from around the state attended the Health Equity Summit in Indianapolis.