Under the Skin

‘Singular and expansive … In this eminently admirable book, there are no easy answers or platitudes.’

‘A searing indictment of a broken health system in the age of American decline.’

‘Brilliant, illuminating … Meticulously researched, sweeping in its historical breadth, damning in its clear-eyed assessment of facts and yet hopeful in its outlook, Under the Skin is a must-read for all who affirm that Black lives matter.’

‘[G]ripping, incisive … [Villarosa] deftly pivots between individual cases and studies that demonstrate the widespread obstacles in seeking equal health care for Black people.’

‘Linda Villarosa, one of our fiercest and most cutting-edge journalists, has given us a classic for the ages. Through engrossing stories of people’s real experiences and her signature rigorous reporting, she reveals the biggest picture in American life — that racism has done us all in, and produced a nation so steeped in white supremacy mythology that we cannot take care of ourselves or each other. This book is a gift, a map, and a necessity, relevant for every reader who wants to understand their own time.’

‘Villarosa’s empathic and sharp-sighted journalism is as astute as it is groundbreaking, as brilliant as it is timely. Let the conversations begin!’

‘A stunning look at the racial disparities in health outcomes for Black and white Americans … Skilfully interweaving historical and medical facts with empathetic profiles of people who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other health crises enabled by structural racism, Villarosa delivers a passionate call for equality in the American medical system. The result is an urgent and utterly convincing must-read.’

‘It’s no secret that Black people are subject to the cumulative effects of systemic racism. But Linda Villarosa’s Under the Skin walks us through the inevitable consequences of living in a racist country on our bodies, our environments, and our healthcare system. The cultural manifestations of the physical and psychological traumas affecting Black people alter or distort all our lives. Those of us who understand that structural violence has physical ramifications will be in debt to Under the Skin. I am grateful for the arrival of this book. It is a relief to have the truth of racialised trauma exposed in such cogent, undeniable writing and with such genius analysis. This is journalism at its finest. If you read one book this year, let it be this one.’

‘In Under the Skin, Linda Villarosa has written a book that will transform how you understand the relationship between race and medicine, one that makes clear the connection between our history and our health. This is a book filled with indispensable research, but also filled with humanity. Villarosa tells us important stories, and also becomes part of the story herself. I’m so glad this book exists, I will be thinking about it for a long time.’

‘Under the Skin makes a powerful case that the systematic assault on Black Americans’ bodies is unhealthy for the entire nation. Based on decades of cutting-edge investigative reporting, Villarosa shines a fresh spotlight on this urgent crisis and offers a promising path to health equity.’

‘Linda Villarosa’s Under the Skin is a compelling and deeply reported examination of racial disparities in health care, cutting through the dangerous, paralysing, and archaic myths that continue to cloud the vision of medical professionals and policymakers about what is wrong and what needs to change.’

‘Like COVID, Under The Skin is a powerful indictment of how structural inequalities have permeated the quality of health care delivered to people of colour.’

‘This powerful, carefully researched book reveals the significant health challenges faced by Black Americans simply due to being Black … Villarosa documents unending examples of social racism, inbred bias, and general neglect, but somehow remains hopeful for change, introducing individuals and programs that are making positive differences. Her thoughtful, personal account raises issues that affect all Americans.’

‘Remarkable.’

‘Perhaps one of the most important and thought-provoking publications of the year is Linda Villarosa’s groundbreaking Under the Skin. It’s a stunning exposé of why Black people in our society “live sicker and die quicker” — an eye-opening game changer.’

‘An eye-opening, heartbreaking study of the racism deeply embedded in US medicine and society; critical for any reader interested in racism’s effects on quality of life.’

‘A damning account of how race and racism determine the quality and quantity of medical care in the US … A closely argued case for racial and class equity in health care, revealing a medical regime sorely in need for reform.’

‘[M]akes stunning points about the health risks of racism amid moving narratives of real people’s experiences … wonderfully written. It’s not an inaccessible academic work or a polemic. Rather, its points are made amid moving narratives of real people’s experiences. The book also serves as a stake in the ground for Villarosa as she powerfully discloses what years of reporting have led her to understand.’

Praise for Passing for Black:

‘Passing for Black weaves issues of identity and sexuality into an engaging tale of love, passion, and family. Finally the story we’ve been waiting for, delivered in page-turning, finely written prose by one of my favourite writers.’

Praise for Passing for Black:

‘Passing for Black is a lively page turner that follows the complicated process of coming out as African-American and female and middle-class. It is a sweet, romantic, and sometimes funny tale, brushed nicely with issues of race, class, and sexuality. As Angela tumbles along her journey to self-discovery, I found myself rooting for her to find the way.’

Praise for Career GPS:

‘Career GPS serves as the business coach you never had but always wanted. From getting the job you want to getting noticed for the job you’ve done, you’ll find tangible tips for winning in the new world of work.’

Linda Villarosa is a journalism professor at the City University of New York and a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine, where she covers the intersection of race and health. She has also served as executive editor at Essence and as a science editor at The New York Times.