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Minal R. Patel

The first course of the Addressing Racial Health Inequity in Healthcare specialization will first situate the role of public health in healthcare, and walk through important concepts and definitions that you will see throughout the course and subsequent courses. You will walk through the social and biological perspectives on the concepts of race and racism, and unpack the history of unequal treatment in the U.S. You will learn about the health insurance system in the U.S., differential access to care, and professional challenges to diversity in healthcare. And finally, you will explore examples of resilience in healthcare that were critical to preserving the health of marginalized populations.

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Syllabus

Week 1 | Unpacking Concepts and Definitions
This week, we will structure and root our understanding of what race is and how it interacts with and affects all aspects of our society. To observe and understand inequities in the healthcare system, we must first have a basic understanding of concepts and definitions in the health equity literature, the origins of race, and how it came to be a ubiquitous part of modern society.
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Week 2 | Historical Roots of Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare
The purpose of this week’s lessons is to understand specific events that contributed to the disproportionate disease burden seen in certain communities, and illustrate why health disparities, and in turn, healthcare disparities, exist by race.
Week 3 | Evolution & Impact of the Health Insurance System
This week, we will learn about the history of health insurance in the United States. The US health insurance system is complex and can vary based on your location, age, ability status, and for some groups, your identity. Understanding these differences helps shed light on how health insurance plays a role in health inequity and, specifically, racial health inequity.
Week 4 | Access & Professional Representation in Healthcare
This week, we will explore how the lack of access and representation in various sectors has had an impact on healthcare equity. By illustrating exclusion and discrimination in other sectors of society, we can better see the same parallels that are observed in healthcare and how exclusionary practices outside of healthcare contribute to health disparities and causes of inequities that will be detailed in Course 2 of this specialization.
Week 5 | History of Resilience in Healthcare
This week, we will spend time learning about how marginalized communities came together to take care of themselves and their demonstration of resilience in the face of inequity. This not only occurred in the US but around the world with many groups.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Helps learners understand the social and biological perspectives on the concepts of race and racism
Suitable for students with foundational understanding of racial and health issues
The course explores examples of resilience in healthcare, which is useful for understanding how marginalized communities cope with inequity
Provides a historical perspective on the unequal treatment of different racial groups in the U.S
Covers the differential access to care and professional challenges to diversity in healthcare

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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 History of Racial Inequity in Healthcare with these activities:
Review 'Introduction to Statistical Learning'
Gain a solid foundation in statistical learning techniques by reviewing this comprehensive textbook.
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  • Read through selected chapters covering fundamental concepts.
  • Work through practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Review basic probability
Review basic probability concepts to strengthen foundational understanding for this course's statistical analyses.
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  • Review key probability concepts such as events, sample spaces, and probability distributions.
  • Practice solving basic probability problems involving conditional probability and Bayes' theorem.
Explore Python libraries for statistical analysis
Familiarize yourself with Python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy to enhance your data analysis capabilities.
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  • Follow tutorials on installing and using NumPy for numerical computations.
  • Explore Pandas tutorials to learn data manipulation and analysis techniques.
  • Review SciPy documentation for statistical functions and algorithms.
Four other activities
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Join a study group or online forum
Enhance your understanding by engaging with peers through study groups or online forums, exchanging ideas, and discussing course concepts.
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  • Identify or join a study group or online forum related to the course.
  • Participate actively in discussions, asking and answering questions.
  • Collaborate on practice problems or project ideas.
Solve practice problems on statistical hypothesis testing
Reinforce your understanding of hypothesis testing by solving practice problems covering different scenarios and distributions.
Browse courses on Hypothesis Testing
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  • Review the concepts of null and alternative hypotheses, as well as type I and type II errors.
  • Practice solving problems involving t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests.
  • Interpret the results of hypothesis tests and draw meaningful conclusions.
Participate in a mentorship program
Strengthen your understanding and communication skills by mentoring other students or participating in a peer support program.
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  • Identify a mentoring program or find a mentee to support.
  • Provide guidance, support, and encouragement to your mentee.
  • Reflect on your own learning and understanding as you mentor others.
Volunteer for a data-driven organization
Gain practical experience and apply your statistical skills in a real-world setting by volunteering for a data-driven organization.
Browse courses on Data Science
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  • Identify organizations that align with your interests and volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in data analysis projects or assist with data collection.
  • Collaborate with professionals and learn from their experiences.

Career center

Learners who complete History of Racial Inequity in Healthcare will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Nurse
Nurses provide a wide range of healthcare services, including patient care, education, and support. This course will help Nurses to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care to marginalized populations.
Physician
Physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. This course will help Physicians to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care to marginalized populations.
Community Health Worker
Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. This course will provide Community Health Workers with a better understanding of the social and biological factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care and advocate for health equity.
Health Insurance Analyst
Health Insurance Analysts review and analyze health insurance claims data to identify trends and patterns. This course will help Health Insurance Analysts to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to analyze data and identify disparities in health insurance coverage and access to care.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants provide advice and guidance to healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations and performance. This course will help Healthcare Consultants to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to develop and implement strategies that address these disparities and improve health equity.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of health and disease in populations. This course will provide Epidemiologists with a better understanding of the social and biological factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to design and conduct research studies that address these disparities.
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices. This course will help Medical Assistants to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care to marginalized populations.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified Nursing Assistants provide basic care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. This course will help Certified Nursing Assistants to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care to marginalized populations.
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts analyze and evaluate health policies and programs. This course will help Health Policy Analysts to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to develop and implement policies that address these disparities and improve health equity.
Social Worker
Social Workers help people to cope with difficult life situations and improve their well-being. This course will provide Social Workers with a better understanding of the social and biological factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to provide culturally competent care to marginalized populations.
Public Health Educator
Public Health Educators promote healthy behaviors and improve the health of communities. This course will provide Public Health Educators with a better understanding of the social and biological factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the skills needed to develop and implement effective health education programs that address these disparities.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate activities in healthcare facilities or organizations. This course will help Healthcare Administrators to understand the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to create more equitable healthcare systems.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts help to shape public policy by studying the effects of existing policies and proposing changes. This course will provide Policy Analysts with a better understanding of the impact that social and biological factors have on health outcomes. By understanding the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, Policy Analysts may be better able to develop policies that address these disparities and improve health equity.
Medical Records Technician
Medical Records Technicians maintain and manage patient medical records. This course may be useful for Medical Records Technicians who want to learn more about the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and the social and biological factors that contribute to these disparities.
Phlebotomist
Phlebotomists collect blood samples for a variety of medical tests. This course may be useful for Phlebotomists who want to learn more about the history of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and the social and biological factors that contribute to these disparities.

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 History of Racial Inequity in Healthcare.
Provides a detailed and disturbing history of medical experimentation on Black Americans, from the era of slavery to the present day. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of racial inequity in healthcare.
Documents the history of government-sanctioned segregation in the United States, from the era of Reconstruction to the present day. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of racial inequity in housing, education, and healthcare.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the health gap between white Americans and Americans of color. It examines the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to this gap, and it offers solutions for reducing it.
Collection of essays that explore the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of racial inequity in healthcare.
This report from the Institute of Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence on racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the roots of racial inequity in healthcare.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence on the impact of racism on health and well-being. It examines the ways in which racism can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and depression.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the health of Black men in the United States. It examines the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to the health disparities that Black men face.

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