PATHWAY TO HEALTH 1:

Oppression –> Powerlessness –> Health Risk

Oppression is a way of badly and unfairly treating people over a long period of time. When a group of people are oppressed, they are often told that they are not valuable or that they are bad in some other way. Over time, a person can start to believe that these negative things are true about them, even if they’re not – this is called internalized oppression. Being oppressed often limits people’s opportunities and their ability to take control of their own lives. This can leave them feeling powerless. Feeling like they have no control or power, oppressed people can engage in risky health behaviors to cope with their feelings or to escape bad feelings.

For example:
A person cannot get a job due to their race/ethnicity –> Feels depressed –> Drinks to forget problems