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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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What's inside
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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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.
Read more
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what should give you pause 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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Reviews summary
Essential insights on healthcare inequity history
According to learners, this course offers an essential and comprehensive deep dive into the history of racial inequity in healthcare. Students found the well-structured content and expert instruction particularly valuable, providing a thought-provoking understanding of systemic issues. While the subject matter is inherently challenging and sensitive, it is presented with critical depth, making it highly relevant for healthcare professionals and public health students. Some suggest opportunities for more interactive discussion or deeper dives into specific areas to further enrich the learning experience, yet its foundational value remains clear.
Well-organized curriculum with clear learning objectives each week.
"The weekly modules are well-structured and easy to follow, making complex topics digestible."
"I liked how the course builds logically from fundamental concepts to historical events and current issues."
"The syllabus flowed very well, guiding me through the sensitive material effectively and thoughtfully."
Explores difficult topics with depth, prompting critical reflection.
"The content is deeply moving and challenging, but absolutely necessary for anyone in the field."
"It made me reflect on my own biases and the systemic issues embedded in healthcare and society."
"Not an easy course emotionally, but the insights and perspectives shared are invaluable for growth."
Delivered by knowledgeable and empathetic instructors.
"The professors were incredibly insightful and presented the material sensitively, which is crucial for this topic."
"I felt the instructors handled complex and often painful history with grace, authority, and respect."
"You can tell the instructors are passionate about this subject and true experts in their field."
Highly relevant for healthcare practitioners and public health professionals.
"Crucial for any healthcare professional wanting to understand their field and serve diverse populations better."
"As a medical student, this course provided vital context for the challenges I'll face and for patient care."
"I found the content directly applicable to discussions around health equity in my public health work."
Provides a thorough and critical understanding of racial health inequities.
"This course offers an unflinching look at history, truly essential to understanding current healthcare disparities."
"I appreciated the detailed historical context provided for the systemic roots of inequity in the U.S."
"It really opened my eyes to the origins of unequal treatment and differential access within the healthcare system."
Some learners desired more interactive elements or deeper dives.
"While excellent, I wished for more interactive discussions or real-world case studies in certain modules."
"Could benefit from a deeper exploration of current policy implications or active solutions for advocacy."
"It felt like a strong overview, but for advanced learners, a more nuanced analysis in some areas would be great."
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'
Show steps
Gain a solid foundation in statistical learning techniques by reviewing this comprehensive textbook.
View
An Introduction to Statistical Learning: with...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read through selected chapters covering fundamental concepts.
-
Work through practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Review basic probability
Show steps
Review basic probability concepts to strengthen foundational understanding for this course's statistical analyses.
Browse courses on
Probability Theory
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with Python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy to enhance your data analysis capabilities.
Browse courses on
Python
Show steps
-
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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or online forum
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by engaging with peers through study groups or online forums, exchanging ideas, and discussing course concepts.
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of hypothesis testing by solving practice problems covering different scenarios and distributions.
Browse courses on
Hypothesis Testing
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding and communication skills by mentoring other students or participating in a peer support program.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
-
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
Show steps
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
Show steps
-
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.
Review 'Introduction to Statistical Learning'
Show steps
Gain a solid foundation in statistical learning techniques by reviewing this comprehensive textbook.
View
An Introduction to Statistical Learning: with...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read through selected chapters covering fundamental concepts.
- Work through practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Review basic probability
Show steps
Review basic probability concepts to strengthen foundational understanding for this course's statistical analyses.
Browse courses on
Probability Theory
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with Python libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and SciPy to enhance your data analysis capabilities.
Browse courses on
Python
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or online forum
Show steps
Enhance your understanding by engaging with peers through study groups or online forums, exchanging ideas, and discussing course concepts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of hypothesis testing by solving practice problems covering different scenarios and distributions.
Browse courses on
Hypothesis Testing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
Strengthen your understanding and communication skills by mentoring other students or participating in a peer support program.
Browse courses on
Mentoring
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
Show steps
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
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- 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
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
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 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 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 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
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.
Certified Nursing Assistant
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.
Medical Assistant
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.
Health Policy Analyst
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 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 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 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 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.
Phlebotomist
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.
Medical Records Technician
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.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/hnk2bp/history
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.
Save
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.
Save
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.
Save
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.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/hnk2bp/history
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Effort
5 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructor
Minal R. Patel
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Addressing Racial Health Inequity in Healthcare. It's comprised of three courses:
- Causes of Racial Inequity in Healthcare
- Achieving Health Equity in Healthcare
- History of Racial Inequity in Healthcare (viewing)
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