Health Justice: Perspectives on Politics, Power, and the Environment

Description:
This introductory course examines the social, political, and environmental determinants of health and health equity. It analyzes how history, institutional dynamics, and policy decisions contribute to existing health inequities across local, national, and global contexts. Through a series of lectures and case studies, students will explore how power, politics, and planetary health interactions shape health and disease. It provides an accessible overview intended for students across disciplines interested in the complex interactions between power, policy, environment, and public health. The course will introduce concepts like structural racism, settler colonialism, racial capitalism, and environmental justice to demonstrate how structural systems of discrimination and climate change threaten health equity. Students will also learn how engaging with policymakers, effective communication, and community organizing can advance health justice.