Podcast explores what drives health disparities

Exploring Health Disparities among Marginalized Communities

October 16, 2024 – A podcast series by Brittney Francis, research scientist at the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health & Human Rights at Harvard University, is aimed at exploring the web of structural determinants that fuel health disparities among marginalized communities.

The biweekly series—Higher Education with Dr. B Fran—launched in September. It features Francis in conversation with leading experts, innovators, and change-makers as they explore the root causes of inequities and share strategies to create a more just health landscape.

Guests and Topics

1. Tanisha Spratt, senior lecturer in racism and health at King’s College, London, discussing how global racialization, colonialism, and xenophobia intersect with public health
2. FXB research associate Tori Cowger, exploring the global connections between music, segregation, and health inequality

Listen to the podcast: Higher Education with Dr. B Fran

Photo: iStock/AlexLinch

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses health disparities among marginalized communities, which aligns with SDG 3’s goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. It also addresses the root causes of inequities, highlighting the issue of reduced inequalities, which is the focus of SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article emphasizes the need to address structural determinants that fuel health disparities, which aligns with SDG 3.8’s target of achieving universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services for all. It also highlights the importance of promoting social inclusion and addressing the root causes of inequities, which corresponds to SDG 10.2’s target of empowering and promoting the inclusion of all individuals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.8: Proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines on a sustainable basis.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of the population reporting discrimination or harassment based on attributes such as age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but it implies the need to measure the proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines to track progress towards achieving universal health coverage (SDG 3.8). Additionally, it suggests the importance of monitoring the proportion of the population reporting discrimination or harassment based on various attributes to assess progress in promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities (SDG 10.2).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hsph.harvard.edu