Event
COVID-19 Response
Margolis Scholars Present: Then and Now: The Importance of Historically-Informed Approaches to Addressing Racial Health Inequities in Responding to COVID-19
RegisterEvent Description
This event, organized by the 2020–2021 Margolis Scholars, brings together local and national experts to discuss longstanding racial health inequities that were highlighted by the 2020 COVID pandemic. Specifically, the first panel will address vaccine distribution, the second will address social contributors of health, and the third will address healthcare delivery changes. All together, these panels will explore the history that has led to the medical system losing the trust of many BIPOC communities nationwide – especially, the role of medical racism, through interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism, that has not only prevented BIPOC people from receiving quality care, but also, in many instances, actively led to their harm and death.
Health Equity
As defined by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.” As Margolis Scholars, we also believe that health equity requires addressing the interpersonal and structural racism that continues to marginalize, oppress, and kill Black, brown and indigenous communities, within and outside of the four walls of a medical clinic.
Event Agenda
Session 1:
12:00-12:40pm Equitable Vaccine Distribution
Panelists: Andrea Thoumi, Dr. Lavanya Vasudevan, Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi
Moderators: Elaine Nguyen and Josee Li
Session 2:
12:40-1:20pm Social Contributors of Health
Panelists: Onyi Ohamidike, Carly Eckert, Dr. Edith Nieves Lopez, Griselda Alonso
Moderator: Emily Peairs
Session 3:
1:20-2:00pm Healthcare Delivery Change
Panelists: Abner Mason, Dr. Kumbie Madondo, Deputy Secretary Ben Money
Moderators: Nina Chiu and Michael Manasia
