“There is much more to our health than bad habits, health care or genes. What matters most are the social conditions that make us sick in the first place. Social factors we don’t usually associate with health—good jobs, affordable housing, a clean environment, sick leave, and a quality education—are just as important for health as efforts to get people to eat right, exercise more and stop smoking.”*
More and more research is showing the presence of health disparities in the American medical system. Epidemiologists, sociologists, biologists, doctors and health workers are looking past the immediate physical causes of disease morbidity and mortality, to the deeper underlying social determinants of health, such as our neighborhoods, our jobs, and even the historical context. The movement towards understanding the dynamics of inequality in health is growing locally and nationally.
In June 2007, the Multnomah County Health Department launched the Health Equity Initiative; a county-wide effort focusing on health inequities, headed by Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Health Department. This initiative is in collaboration with local organizations to support policy change and monitor results. Currently, the Health Equity Initiative is encouraging community dialogue about the root causes of health disparities and long-term solutions. Beginning in March 2008, a PBS documentary Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick will explore how inequalities in housing, health, jobs, and education—combined with a lack of power and control over one’s life—can translate into bad health and even death. Multnomah County will be one of many communities across the country to feature this documentary in a series of public screenings and dialogues. An upcoming screening event at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) on May 15, 2008 will initiate collaboration between NCNM and the Multnomah County Health Equity Initiative.
The Unnatural Causes documentary series provides an in depth view of health inequalities, shedding light on mounting evidence that demonstrates how work, wealth, neighborhood conditions and lack of access to power and resources can actually affect humans physically. The series also provides examples of how communities are organizing to gain control over their destinies and their health.
For a schedule of community dialogues in Multnomah County click here.
For local PBS broadcast schedules by state click here
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Concerned World Citizen,
Your perspective on the equality for healthcare is a wake up call. Drawing attention to this topic is necessary in order for us to truly understand health and well being for the individual, regardless of the social dynamics that come into play. I particuarly liked your statement:
“The series also provides examples of how communities are organizing to gain control over their destinies and their health.”
Health can be achieved for everyone if we each work collectively towards personal and communal health. By becoming aware of how our direct and indirect actions affect others, and through the cultivation of respect for all, we have the power to mobilize and meet the demands of an ailing healthcare system. Your article provides me with hope.
Thank you for your powerful thoughts and resources on the subject; I look forward to the Unnatural Causes series and the information therein.
Best,
Kimberly Ann
Thank you, Kimberly Ann, for your response. I am glad that you are hopeful. You will be even more so after seeing the Unnatural Causes series. I hope you can attend the NCNM screening event in May. Community dialogue is important, especially amongst health care providers committed to making a real impact. People like you and I will change the world!