Peer-reviewed open access journal Vol. 15 • Issue 1

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Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology

A modern publishing platform for behavioral health research, mental health scholarship, and interdisciplinary evidence shared through an open, online-first model.

Open Access Peer Reviewed Behavioral Health

Current publishing cycle

Volume 15

Issue 1 • 2026-02

2.809 Impact factor
Open Access model

Article details

Beyond Race: Toward an Ethically Integrated Model of Healthcare Justice

Julian Ungar-Sargon

Abstract

Despite advances in medicine, race continues to be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic heuristic in clinical practice, perpetuating harmful health disparities. This article examines how Dr. Andrea Deyrup's pioneering work at Duke University has exposed the scientific inadequacy of race-based medicine, demonstrating that racialized health disparities stem from socioeconomic and structural determinants rather than inherent biological differences. Drawing on ecosocial theory, liberation theology, and the therapeutic vision articulated in my work at jyungar.com, we propose a healing model that centers justice, narrative presence, and sacred advocacy—one that displaces racial typologies with relational, context-based care that honors the patient as sacred text.