Structural Racism: Causes of Health Inequities in the U.S.
Racial health disparities - differences in health outcomes based on race - are rampant in the U.S., and many incorrectly assume these are due to differences in behavior or genetics. To understand these differences, and ultimately identify solutions to eliminate these disparities, we need to dig deeper and look at the root causes. We need to examine how our socio-political institutions have racial inequities embedded within their policies and practices. We need to re-examine history to learn how and why race was created and how it was used to advance the interests of whites.
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- Level Foundation
- Course by University of Michigan
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About
Racial health disparities - differences in health outcomes based on race - are rampant in the U.S., and many incorrectly assume these are due to differences in behavior or genetics. To understand these differences, and ultimately identify solutions to eliminate these disparities, we need to dig deeper and look at the root causes. We need to examine how our socio-political institutions have racial inequities embedded within their policies and practices. We need to re-examine history to learn how and why race was created and how it was used to advance the interests of whites. We need to examine how state violence is selectively used to reinforce racial inequities. Learners in this course will be guided through these examinations in order to gain a deeper understanding of why health disparities exist in the U.S. and what will be necessary to eliminate these disparities. Answering questions pertaining to course materials will give learners the opportunity to self-reflect in an effort to deepen their thinking about health inequities. Additionally, course assignments will give learners the opportunity to practice advocacy skills through the creation of writing products intended to convince decision-makers to change their perspective. To fix the problem we need to accurately diagnose it, and this course will help learners diagnose the root causes of the problem. By the end of this course, learners will be able to: - Describe the impact of structural racism on individuals. - Identify policies and events that shaped current racial health inequities. - Discuss how historical events contributed to current racial health inequities. - Describe how inequities in institutions like schools, businesses, and policing contribute to current racial health inequities. - Apply public writing strategies to work against racial inequities in health.Modules
Welcome to the Course!
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1
Videos
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5
Readings
1
Videos
- Welcome to the Course!
5
Readings
- Meet Your Instructors
- Course Syllabus
- Overview of Writing Assignments
- Community Guidelines
- Course Pre-Survey
Systems, Health Equity and Inequities
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
3
Videos
- Introduction to Systems, Health Equity, and Inequities
- Systemic Racism and Health
- Health Equity and Inequities: COVID-19 Case
2
Readings
- Introduction and Guidelines for This Week
- Read and Listen: Regulations, Laws, and Legal Practices Affecting Health Equities & How Systemic Racism Determines Black Health & Wealth In Chicago
Affordable Care Act & Health Equity
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1
Videos
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2
Readings
1
Videos
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA): Historical and Contemporary Stakes
2
Readings
- Read: The Fight for Health Care has Always Been About Civil Rights & How Obamacare Saved Detroit
- Watch: Medicare and Medicaid at 50: America's Entitlement Programs in the Age of Affordable Care
Race, Politics, and Health
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Race, Politics and Health: Interview with Holly Jarman
1
Readings
- Read and Watch: Survey reveals racial, political differences in COVID-19 responses & Political Determinants of Health
Week 1 Wrap Up and Assignments
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
ExternalTool
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Week 1 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Week 1 Writing Assignment in Workbook
1
Discussions
- Policy, Politics, and Racial Health Inequities
2
Readings
- Week 1 Wrap Up and Key Takeaways
- Brief Introduction to the Workbook Tool
Historical Roots
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2
Readings
2
Readings
- Introduction and Guidelines for this Week
- Read: The Importance of Teaching History of Inequities in Public Health Programs
Race, Racism and White Supremacy
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2
Videos
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2
Readings
2
Videos
- Who invented race, racism, & white supremacy?
- How was race, racism, & white supremacy first codified into law in the US?
2
Readings
- Optional Listen: How Race Was Made (Seeing White, Part 2)
- Listen: Made in America (Seeing White, Part 3)
Settler Colonialism and Health
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1
Videos
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2
Readings
1
Videos
- What is Settler Colonialism & How Does it Impact Health?
2
Readings
- Optional Reading: The American Indian Holocaust: Healing Historical Unresolved Grief
- Watch: Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity by Donald Warne
Racialization and Marginalization of Immigrants
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1
Videos
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2
Readings
1
Videos
- Racialization & Marginalization of Immigrants in the U.S.
2
Readings
- Read: Borders, Laborers, and Racialized Medicalization Mexican Immigration and US Public Health Practices in the 20th Century
- Optional Listen: Immigration Nation & Citizen Thind (Seeing White, Part 10)
20th Century Policies
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1
Videos
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3
Readings
1
Videos
- 20th Century Policies as Affirmative Action for Whites
3
Readings
- Watch and Listen: Housing Segregation In Everything & Location! Location! Location!
- Optional Listen: White Affirmative Action
- Optional Reading: What is Owed
Week 2 Wrap Up and Assignments
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1
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
ExternalTool
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Week 2 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Week 2 Writing Assignment in Workbook
1
Discussions
- Historical Roots of Health Inequities
1
Videos
- History & Health Inequities: Interview with Jannah Bierens
2
Readings
- Optional Read: The Case for Reparations
- Week 2 Wrap Up and Key Takeaways
How Does Law Enforcement Impact Health?
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1
Videos
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7
Readings
1
Videos
- Law Enforcement Making Its Way Into Your Body
7
Readings
- Introduction and Guidelines for this Week
- Read: Ending police violence requires public health-based approach: APHA statement guiding work, outreach
- Explore and Read: Mapping Police Violence & Pain of police killings ripples outward to traumatize Black people and communities across US
- Read: The fallout of police violence is killing black women like Erica Garner
- Watch and Read: Ice El Hielo & How a major immigration raid affected infant health
- Read: Get Armed Police Out of Emergency Rooms
- Read: This How Racial Health Inequities Undermine Democracy
How Is Law Enforcement Patterned by Race?
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1
Videos
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4
Readings
1
Videos
- Law Enforcement Violence is Patterned by Race
4
Readings
- Read: Multiple studies find racial profiling in traffic stops
- Read: An undercount of Latinos killed by police
- Read: The forgotten minority in police shootings
- Optional Read: New Report Details How and Why Routine Traffic Stops Turn Deadly
How Is Race Being Used to Justify Disparities?
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3
Readings
3
Readings
- Read: How Racial Profiling Goes Unchecked in Immigration Enforcement
- Read: Tired of Being Called a Terrorist
- Read: The claim that drugs killed George Floyd relies on a racist trope
How Have Communities Addressed Health Inequities Driven by Law Enforcement?
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3
Videos
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3
Readings
3
Videos
- Law Enforcement and Community Response: Interview with Maria Thomas
- Race, Drugs and Law Enforcement Violence: Part 1
- Race, Drugs, and Law Enforcement Violence: Part 2
3
Readings
- Read: What works to reduce police brutality
- Read: John Legend: We need to #SayHerName: Happy birthday, Breonna Taylor (Op‑ed)
- Read: Six Ideas for a Cop-Free World
Week 3 Wrap Up and Assignments
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
ExternalTool
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Week 3 Quiz
1
External Tool
- Week 3 Writing Assignment
1
Discussions
- State Violence and Health Inequities
1
Readings
- Week 3 Wrap Up and Key Takeaways
Final Peer-Reviewed Assignment
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Final Course Writing Assignment
Course Post-Survey
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1
Readings
1
Readings
- Course Post-Survey
Auto Summary
Discover the root causes of health disparities in the U.S. with "Structural Racism: Causes of Health Inequities." This foundation-level course, led by expert instructors on Coursera, delves into the socio-political and historical factors contributing to racial health inequities. Learners will explore the embedded racial biases in institutions and practice advocacy skills to promote change. Ideal for those passionate about health and social justice, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of structural racism's impact on health. Available with a Starter subscription.
Paul Fleming
William D Lopez
Melissa Creary