COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on low-income, communities of color, but conversations about racial disparities mask the real public health emergency – racism. Poor access to healthcare and bias in clinical settings, underfunded educational and health institutions, housing segregation, chronic stress, and lack of access to clean water, air, and nutritious food all converge to shape the health of children and families of color.

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a policy statement that named racism as a key social determinant of health, noting that “failure to address racism will continue to undermine health equity for all children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families.” This session will delve deeper into the connection between health and structural racism, and the inequities of our health and food systems that compound negative health outcomes. We’ll also hear directly from the people and organizations that are leading the health and food equity movement.

SPEAKERS
  • Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Trust for America’s Health (Moderator)
  • Chef Tamearra Dyson, Executive Chef and Owner of Souley Vegan LLC.
  • Dr. Frederick Douglass Opie, Professor of History and Foodways, Babson College and Podcast Host, Fred Opie Show

Read the full article about hunger and health at The Aspen Institute.