Such labels can be useful, but they can also lead to dangerous stereotyping and bias. To escape the difficulties associated with race , Ashley Montagu invented the term ethnic in 1964. Ethnic and ethnicity refer to membership in a socially rather than a biologically defined group. Ethnicity distinguishes groups by cultural characteristics such as names, language, and religion. Williams suggests that in healthcare it makes more sense to use ethnically relevant terms such as African-American rather than biologically related expressions such as black .
Minority is a relatively new term that encompasses both race and ethnicity.
Although it sounds like a statistical category, a minority is not necessarily smaller than the dominant group. Racism in healthcare and elsewhere can be intentional or unintentional, and individual or institutional. Racism is any policy, practice, belief or attitude that attributes characteristics or status to individuals based on their race . The following stories illustrate institutional racism and how it persists despite legislation, public policy and multiple efforts to achieve equity in health care. The hospital's obstetrical ward, delivery room and nursery were on the second floor of the building.