Alarming disparities within the COVID-19 pandemic — such as higher hospitalizations and death rates among African Americans — are sadly predictable and highlight the urgent need to address the root causes of health inequities.

The American Public Health Association is hosting this four-part webinar series to give an in-depth look at racism as a driving force of the social determinants of health and equity. The series will explore efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. Our presenters will highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice.

Webinar # 1 | Racism: The Ultimate Underlying Condition | June 9, 2-3:30 p.m. EDT

This kick-off webinar will examine racism and its historic and present-day impact on health and well-being. Presenters will:

• identify the multiple levels on which racism operates;
• describe the physiological impacts of racism and discrimination on health; and
• explore the principles for and barriers to achieving health equity.

Introduction

• APHA President-Elect José Ramón Fernández-Peña, MD, MPA, Director of Health Professions Advising, Northwestern University

Presenters

• APHA Past President Camara Phyllis Jones, MD, MPH, PhD, 2019-2020 Evelyn Green Davis Fellow, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
• Amani Allen, PhD, MPH, Executive Associate Dean, UC Berkeley School of Public Health

Moderator

• Tia Taylor Williams, Director, APHA Center for Public Health Policy and Center for School Health and Education