Louis A. Penner, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Oncology at Wayne State University, USA. His research focuses on the causes of racial health disparities. His research team was among the first to identify implicit racial bias as a source of racial healthcare disparities. He has published more than 190 scientific articles, books, and book chapters. He is a Past President of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues; and Fellow of three professional societies. He has served on advisory committees for the National Cancer Institute and given lectures on health disparities to the American Cancer Society and other healthcare organizations. John F. Dovidio, PhD is Carl Iver Hovland Professor of Psychology and Public Health Emeritus at Yale University, USA and Senior Scientist at Diversity Science, a company that translates the latest science to build diverse and inclusive organizations. He consults regularly on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare and in other areas. His research interests are in racism and implicit bias. He has published over 500 articles and chapters, and he has edited or authored over a dozen books. He has received numerous scholarly awards and has served in major leadership roles in several psychological organizations. He was part of the 2003 Committee that produced the Institute of Medicine's landmark volume, 'Unequal Treatment.' Nao Hagiwara, PhD is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. With training background in basic experimental social psychology, she grounds her applied health and healthcare disparities research in social psychology theories of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. She has obtained multiple NIH grants on healthcare providers' implicit bias and published over 50 scientific articles and book chapters. Her recent work on provider implicit bias has appeared in flagship journals and scientific magazines, such as the Lancet and Scientific American. Brian D. Smedley, PhD is an Equity Scholar at the Urban Institute, USA where he conducts research and policy analysis to address the impact of structural and institutional forms of racism on health. Previously, he held leadership positions at the American Psychological Association, National Collaborative for Health Equity, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, The Opportunity Agenda, and the Institute of Medicine (now National Academy of Medicine). Among his awards and distinctions, Dr. Smedley has been honored by the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus, American Public Health Association, American Psychological Association, and National Academy of Sciences. He was part of the 2003 Committee that produced the Institute of Medicine's landmark volume, 'Unequal Treatment.'

'This book provides a timely and comprehensive analysis of America's most pressing societal dilemma - persistent, seemingly intractable racial health disparities. It is solution-focused and combines an in-depth discussion of the social determinants of health with a clear depiction of the inequities in the healthcare system. I highly recommend this book.' Gail C. Christopher, National Collaborative for Health Equity, USA

• Introduction: An American dilemma: Racial disparities in health—past and present; 1. The Past is Prologue: the roots of anti-black racism; 2. A threat to the common good: racism and the health of black Americans; 3. Two Americas: the effects of racial residential segregation on the health of black Americans; 4. Racism in American medicine: do no harm to some; do great harm to others; 5. Not part of the solution: systemic racism in contemporary healthcare; 6. A dangerous foot in the door: the impact of race-related thoughts and feelings on healthcare disparities; 7. Paths to a solution: ensuring a basic human right.