Search
Leveraging the strengths of public health & health care for a healthy democracy
Public health and health care systems can play an important role in improving civic health. In the third episode of this series, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi dive into examples of public health and health care organizations’ efforts to increase civic participation. They are joined by Jeanne Ayers, the executive director of Healthy Democracy Healthy People, who discusses both challenges and victories to increase voter registration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aliya Bhatia, executive director of Vot-ER, shares how bringing voter registration into emergency rooms, hospitals and community health centers has moved health beyond the exam room.
Reparations: A solution to the racial wealth divide
In this episode, we explore reparations as a possible solution to bridging the racial wealth divide. We're joined by Dr. Andre Perry, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution and a scholar-in-residence at American University. Perry has authored the book, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities and co-authored a Brookings policy brief: “Why we need reparations for Black Americans.” Perry argues that reparations are not only the solution, but they’re also the morally right thing to do.
Solutions to the racial wealth divide
Researchers are starting to understand ways to close the racial wealth gap. In this episode, we explore several evidence-informed solutions to support wealth building. The strategies are part of a curated list from What Works for Health and are rated for their effectiveness on closing disparities, or the differences between groups. We’re joined by our colleague, Michael Stevenson, the team leader for Evidence and Policy Analysis at County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, to discuss a range of strategies his team has studied and rated.
Solving the gender pay gap
The gender pay gap is a complex issue and closing it will require multiple solutions. In our second of three episodes on the topic, hosts Ericka Burroughs-Girardi and Beth Silver are joined by Dr. Jessica Milli, an economist and the founder of the consulting firm Research 2 Impact. Dr. Milli talks about how the gender pay gap harms our health, entire communities and the economy. Our colleague Kiersten Frobom, a senior analyst on our evidence and policy analysis team, also joins the conversation to discuss the strategies that communities and organizations are using to close the gender pay gap.
Staggering stats behind the racial wealth divide
It started with the enslavement of human beings and persists today. Wealth influences opportunities for employment, housing, health care, and education, all of which contribute to health inequities. In this episode, we welcome our colleague, Dr. Christine Muganda, a scientist with County Health Rankings, to shed light on what the research says about wealth inequality. One of the most staggering statistics: Black families in this country have just one-tenth of the wealth of white families. Racial differences are far more pronounced in wealth than in income. Ultimately, the differences in wealth and the ability to build it can impact health and well-being for generations.
Strengthening democracy for better health
In Solidarity is back for a new series on the importance of supporting young people in strengthening our democracy and how building this foundation impacts everyone’s health. We’re bringing you three exciting conversations with civic education expert Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, prolific author and Citizen University CEO Eric Liu, and a young community advocate and Winston-Salem State University freshman, Olivia Cody.
The myth of the gender pay gap myth
Type “the gender pay gap” into any search engine and one of the first results that pops up will be: “The gender pay gap myth.” In the final episode of this miniseries, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi bust myths and break down the toxic narratives around the gender pay gap. They are joined by Dr. Jonathan Heller, a senior fellow at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, who talks about how toxic narratives maintain systems and policies that keep women undervalued and underpaid. Dr. Jessamyn Schaller, an economics professor and co-author of The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap, concludes our series by making the connections between the pay gap and women’s health.
Using the tools of democracy for better health
There’s a growing body of evidence that shows that people living in areas with structural barriers, such as laws that restrict voter eligibility, registration and opportunities to participate, have lower voter turnout and shorter life expectancy. In our second episode, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi are joined by Daniel Dawes, executive director of the Institute of Global Health Equity at Meharry Medical College, and the founder of the political determinants of health framework. Dawes discusses how the political determinants have shaped communities’ ability to define and address public problems. Dr. Peniel Joseph, an author, professor and founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at The University of Texas at Austin, also joins the conversation to provide examples of how tools of democracy — historical and present — have shaped where we are today.
When young people engage with democracy
In the series’ final episode, Host Ericka Burroughs-Girardi talks with a young changemaker who offers insights on motivating other young people to get involved. Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina freshman Olivia Cody shares her experience encouraging fellow students to vote, volunteer and make a difference in their communities. She also discusses the obstacles they face.