The Roots of Health Inequity
Explore the underlying causes of social injustice and health inequity to unearth public health’s role in building healthier communities.
Roots Series Overview
Course Previews
![Illustration of the bottom section of a tree, showing its roots in the ground](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/1-Why_Root_Causes-art.jpg?h=71262498&itok=StpvcRDj)
1
What is a “root cause” and why do we need to consider root causes when we talk about advancing health equity?
![Illustration of a scale with individuals of different races, ages and abilities. Both sides are equal.](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/2-Social-Justice-art.jpg?h=70a5843a&itok=RXUFhixQ)
2
Public health’s origins and initiatives are deeply intertwined with social justice. As a field, we must reengage with these social justice roots to transform the conditions that produce health equity and health inequity.
![Illustration with doctors symbol, medicine and syringe, black female doctor.](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/3-History-art.jpg?h=22ed2591&itok=wTiA_7ZP)
3
Become familiar with the broad evolution of public health, with an emphasis on examining the root causes of health inequities and social reform efforts.
![graphic with a mix of people of different races](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-06/4-Racism-art.jpg?h=5d5eff7b&itok=XVwLgYFH)
4
When we artificially identify one group as more “worthy,” we build inequality into the structure of our society.
![Illustration of individuals working with an industrial scene behind them and a dividing stock market line with businesses and mangers in the top half](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/5-Capitalism-and-Class-art.jpg?h=31285a49&itok=WxGx6f6Q)
5
Designed to create inequality, capitalism is a root cause of health inequity.
![Illustration, the standard male and female depictions often seen on signs with drawings of people below them of varying genders](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/6-Cisheteronormativity-art.jpg?h=2ca11815&itok=4VJvz05P)
6
Fixing our understanding of gender and sexuality into a tight binary limits us from supporting all members of our community.
![Illustration of people talking, people using their phones and speech bubbles, dots and emojis](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/7-Narratives-art.jpg?h=eb35e2ad&itok=9LqKNmBD)
7
Stories and ideas shape societies and represent our values. We can communicate narratives that build health equity.
![Illustration, the three faces of power, the symbols of power over, to, with, within, businesses, money, and people of various races and ages.](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/8-Power_and_Health_Equity-art.jpg?h=4e5be097&itok=6V_iZuyp)
8
Power relates directly to the root causes of health inequity; public health must leverage power to advance their goals.
![Illustration of a person talking through a megaphone, another holding a sign with others in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/9-Community-Power-art.jpg?h=f96215f7&itok=bP79eihV)
9
Public health will be able to make greater gains in achieving health equity through shifting and sharing power with communities that experience marginalization.
![Illustration of workers in business settings, having a one on one, working on presentation, sitting around a table discussing ideas](/sites/default/files/styles/course_hero/public/2024-05/10-Workforce-art.jpg?h=983e4be7&itok=Yx-1fMtW)
10
Equity within the public health workforce is key to ensuring that public health leadership, public health infrastructure, and the public health workforce are equipped to advance health equity.