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Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare

The second course of the Addressing Racial Health Inequity in Healthcare specialization you will journey through a survey of critical drivers of racial inequities in healthcare. These critical drivers need to be known in order to implement interventions that can achieve health equity.

You will explore issues that arise around the financing of healthcare in the U.S, and how this system enables race-based disparities. You will then explore the multiple dimensions of access to care, and how various dimensions perpetuate racial inequities in care. You will also discuss the historical backdrop of mistreatment in healthcare settings that remains pervasive among racial groups. And finally, you will unpack implicit bias and how these biases influence diagnosis and treatment patterns among different racial groups.

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Syllabus

Week 1 | Financing of Healthcare

Welcome to Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare! This week, we will learn about how financing in the U.S. healthcare system works, how public health insurance systems are administered, and how these systems contribute to racial health inequities. We will examine this through insurance systems and hospitals. The many different insurance systems and hospital systems and how they connect financially are actually complex web.

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This course is the second of a specialization series on addressing racial health inequity in healthcare

Designed for healthcare professionals, students, and advocates seeking to understand and address racial inequities in healthcare

Taught by an experienced instructor who is recognized for their work in addressing racial health inequities

Examines the historical and systemic factors that contribute to racial inequities in healthcare

Provides practical strategies and interventions for addressing racial inequities in healthcare settings

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Reviews summary

Exploring racial inequity in healthcare

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of the critical drivers of racial inequity in healthcare. Students find the structured curriculum covers essential topics such as healthcare financing, access issues, the history of mistreatment of racial/ethnic groups, and the pervasive role of implicit bias in medical practice. The thought-provoking content is designed to equip professionals and students with a deeper understanding of systemic disparities. While the subject matter is inherently challenging and emotionally impactful, the course aims to provide a solid foundation for identifying and addressing these complex issues.

Highly valuable for healthcare professionals and policy makers.

"As a healthcare provider, I found the insights directly applicable to my practice and understanding patient experiences."

"This course is invaluable for anyone working in public health or striving for health policy reform."

"It's a foundational course for those committed to addressing racial inequities in their field."

Examines deep-rooted systemic and historical causes of inequity.

"I gained a much clearer understanding of how financing systems and historical mistreatment perpetuate disparities."

"The course does an excellent job of unpacking complex mechanisms like implicit bias and their impact on care."

"It's crucial to understand the systemic nature of these problems, and this course provides that framework."

Addresses a crucial and contemporary societal challenge.

"The subject matter is incredibly important and timely, directly addressing pressing issues in modern healthcare."

"I found the content deeply relevant to current discussions on health equity and social justice."

"This course is essential for anyone wanting to understand and contribute to solving racial disparities in health."

Provides an in-depth survey of critical drivers of inequity.

"I appreciate how the course comprehensively covers the multifaceted causes of racial inequity, from financing to implicit bias."

"The structured weekly modules on access, mistreatment, and race in medicine offer a very thorough understanding."

"This course helped me see the full picture of systemic issues driving disparities in healthcare."

Deals with sensitive and potentially intense topics.

"Be prepared for the emotional weight of discussing historical mistreatment and pervasive biases."

"While highly informative, the content can be emotionally taxing at times due to its sensitive nature."

"The course requires introspection and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about healthcare systems."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Enhance comprehension and retention by systematically organizing and reviewing course materials, including lectures, readings, and assignments.

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Gather all course materials, including lectures, readings, and assignments.
Organize materials into a logical structure using folders, notebooks, or online tools.
Review materials regularly to reinforce learning and identify areas needing further attention.

Read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot

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Understand the historical context of medical mistreatment of racial and ethnic groups by delving into the story of Henrietta Lacks and the impact of her cells on medical research.

View The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on Amazon

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Read the book 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks'.
Annotate the book with notes and questions.
Reflect on the ethical and social implications raised by the book.

Watch TED Talks on Racial Equity in Healthcare

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Gain insights from thought leaders and experts by watching TED Talks on various aspects of racial inequity in healthcare, including policy, social determinants of health, and patient experiences.

Browse courses on Healthcare Disparities

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Browse TED.com for talks on racial equity in healthcare.
Select a few talks that resonate with your interests.
Take notes on the key points and insights presented in the talks.
Reflect on how these insights can inform your understanding of racial inequities in healthcare.

Six other activities

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Form a Study Group and Discuss Course Topics

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Collaborate with peers to reinforce understanding, exchange perspectives, and prepare for assessments by forming a study group.

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Identify a group of peers who share similar goals and interests.
Establish regular meeting times and a study schedule.
Take turns leading discussions and presenting summaries of course topics.
Engage in active listening and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Practice Identifying and Mitigating Implicit Bias

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Improve your ability to recognize and address implicit bias in healthcare settings by engaging in practice exercises.

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Take an implicit bias test.
Reflect on the results of the test and identify areas for improvement.
Practice mindfulness techniques to reduce implicit bias.
Role-play patient-provider interactions to practice mitigating implicit bias.

Attend a Workshop on Cultural Competency in Healthcare

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Enhance your understanding of cultural differences and their impact on healthcare interactions by attending a workshop on cultural competency.

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Research and identify workshops on cultural competency in healthcare.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your interests.
Actively participate in the workshop and engage with the facilitators and other participants.
Apply the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop to your interactions with patients and colleagues.

Attend a Healthcare Equity Conference or Symposium

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Connect with professionals and learn about the latest research and initiatives in healthcare equity by attending a conference or symposium.

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Research and identify relevant healthcare equity conferences or symposia.
Register for a conference or symposium that aligns with your interests.
Actively participate in sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Follow up with connections made at the conference or symposium to continue discussions and collaborations.

Develop a Patient Education Pamphlet on Racial Bias in Healthcare

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Empower patients by creating an educational pamphlet that explains racial bias in healthcare and provides strategies for addressing it.

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Gather information from credible sources on racial bias in healthcare.
Write clear and concise content that is accessible to a lay audience.
Design and format the pamphlet to be visually appealing and engaging.
Distribute the pamphlet to patients and community organizations.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the pamphlet by gathering feedback from patients.

Develop a Policy Brief on Addressing Racial Inequities in Healthcare

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Translate research findings and insights into actionable policy recommendations by creating a policy brief on addressing racial inequities in healthcare.

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Review literature and research on racial inequities in healthcare.
Identify key policy issues and develop evidence-based recommendations.
Write a concise and persuasive policy brief.
Share the policy brief with policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders.

Career center

Learners who complete Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Policy Analyst

An expert in health care policy is in charge of developing and putting into effect policies that improve the kind and standard of medical care provided to people. Taking this course can help you succeed in this position because it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will be useful in developing policies that aim to lessen these disparities and guarantee that everyone has access to high-quality medical care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Health Equity Researcher

A researcher in health equity examines the many factors that affect health disparities between various population groups and works to find answers. This course can help you be successful in this position since it will give you a thorough grasp of the underlying causes of racial inequities in healthcare. With this knowledge, you'll be able to design research projects that look into these disparities and come up with remedies to solve them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Equity Researcher

Health Care Administrator

A healthcare administrator plans, directs, and oversees healthcare delivery in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a better grasp of the underlying causes of racial disparities in healthcare. This knowledge will be useful in creating and putting into effect policies and procedures that promote health equity and guarantee that all patients receive high-quality care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Administrator

Public Health Educator

A health educator collaborates with people to help them make healthy decisions and lifestyle changes. This course can be beneficial to your success in this position because it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will aid you in developing and delivering educational programs that address these disparities and promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Educator

Social Worker

A social worker assists people in overcoming personal and social challenges that have an impact on their health and well-being. This course can help you succeed in this position because it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will be useful in providing culturally competent care to your customers and advocating for policies that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Health Care Consultant

A health care consultant helps healthcare organizations improve their operations, efficiency, and quality of care. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a better grasp of the underlying causes of racial disparities in healthcare. This knowledge will help you to better understand the challenges that healthcare organizations face and to develop solutions that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Consultant

Insurance Underwriter

An insurance underwriter evaluates and assesses the risk of insuring individuals and organizations. This course can be beneficial to your success in this position since it will provide you with a better grasp of the underlying causes of racial disparities in healthcare. This knowledge will help you to better understand the risk factors that contribute to health disparities and to make more informed underwriting decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Insurance Underwriter

Nurse

A nurse provides direct patient care and works to promote health and well-being. This course can be beneficial to your success in this position since it will provide you with a better grasp of the underlying causes of racial disparities in healthcare. This knowledge will help you to provide more culturally competent care to your patients and to advocate for policies that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse

Physician

A physician diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries. This course can be beneficial to your success in this position since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will aid you in providing more culturally competent care to your patients and advocating for policies that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Health Care Data Analyst

A health care data analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to improve the quality and efficiency of health care. This course can be beneficial to your success in this position since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will aid you in identifying and addressing disparities in health care data and in developing interventions to promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Data Analyst

Health Care Lobbyist

A health care lobbyist represents the interests of health care providers and organizations before government agencies. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a better grasp of the underlying causes of racial disparities in healthcare. This knowledge will help you to better understand the challenges that healthcare providers and organizations face and to advocate for policies that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Lobbyist

Health Care Journalist

A health care journalist writes and reports on health care issues for the public. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying factors that contribute to racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will help you to write more in-depth and insightful articles about health disparities and to advocate for policies that promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Journalist

Pharmacist

A pharmacist dispenses medications and provides advice on their use. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will help you to better understand the health disparities that your patients face and to provide more culturally competent care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Epidemiologist

An epidemiologist investigates the distribution and patterns of health-related states or events in a population. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will help you to better understand the health disparities that exist in the population and to develop interventions to promote health equity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Biostatistician

A biostatistician applies statistical methods to solve problems in biology and medicine. This course may be useful to you in this capacity since it will provide you with a solid foundation in the underlying causes of racial disparities in health care. This knowledge will help you to better understand the health disparities that exist in the population and to develop statistical models to identify and address these disparities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Save

Provides a historical background on the mistreatment of racial/ethnic groups in healthcare settings through the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent and used to develop a life-saving vaccine.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Paperback

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Reprint...

Paperback

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Natives, Why...

Paperback

(中文) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Chinese...

Paperback

(中文) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Chinese...

Paperback

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Kindle Edition

Medical Apartheid

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the history of medical experimentation on Black Americans, from the era of slavery to the present day.

Vibrant and Healthy Kids

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Provides a comprehensive overview of health equity in the United States, and identifies key challenges and opportunities for improving health outcomes for all Americans.

Vibrant and Healthy Kids

Paperback

Vibrant and Healthy Kids: Aligning Science,...

Kindle Edition

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