Public Health History

In this course, you will explore select events and themes from the history of public health and their intersection with social movements. Health inequities have persisted for centuries stemming from numerous root-cause systems such as racism, white supremacy, (cishetero) patriarchy, classism, (cis)sexism, among others. History shows us that health equity and social justice are critical to advancing the health of our country, especially for the most marginalized communities who have faced, and continue to face, oppression throughout history. 

This course features an interactive timeline of public health history over the past two centuries, along with case studies to delve deeper into seminal public health events that have shaped our country. While the course primarily focuses on U.S. history, we will also highlight key international events that have directly impacted the U.S. public health system. We will call out social injustices and show examples of how public health has both advanced and hindered positive health outcomes. You will examine the scope of public health’s role and responsibilities in the U.S., and discuss how it has developed as a field that intertwines with various interests, organizations, and social movements.