Evidence suggests that experiences of anti-Black racism in the healthcare system led to higher rates of chronic health outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality among Black community members. Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) launched North America’s first Master of Public Health (MPH) in Black Health program for the Fall 2023 term, which aims to prepare students to practice public health with Black communities and to change their healthcare experience for the better. The program will explore the impact of anti-Black racism on health; intersectionality and transgenerational health (including Black Elders and children); the effects of inter-generational relationships on community health; wellness and healing; resilience and resistance; infectious and chronic illness prevalence; and treatment within the health-care system. The program will also give students transferrable skills in the practices of decolonizing pedagogy and anti-racist, anti-oppression frameworks.
The curriculum currently includes typical MPH program requirements with an additional six courses related to Black health, covering topics like, a sociohistorical overview of Black health, chronic diseases and reproductive health in a lifespan, decolonizing theory and methods in Black health research, transnational Black health policy and practice and Black resistance in health. These funds are supporting content development for the 6 new Black Health focused courses to be delivered to incoming cohort and to be published on Quercus, conducting library searches and assisting with creation of materials for Black Health Pedagogy & Research Guide for incoming students, as well as coordinating knowledge translation related to education practices and anti-racist pedagogy in Black Health.
Outcomes
The project has supported:
- Creation of 6 new courses in Black Health
- A new guide has been developed as a starting point for finding information on Black Health Pedagogy and Research. It includes curated lists of key books and journals, core databases in health sciences and black studies, as well as community organizations and other kinds of resources. Tips on how to develop effective search strategies are also covered
- Helped expand access to practicum placements for students within the program
- Development of Sharepoint site for the program