Seminars to explore the influence of racism on health

A three-part series of public seminars will teach attendees how to communicate about the influence of racism on health.

“We hope attendees will learn new ways of addressing racism in their work by hearing from leaders working in different settings to further people's health,” said Shokufeh Ramirez, assistant director of the Tulane Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (CEMCH). “The effects of racism are pervasive, and in public health work, we have a responsibility to recognize the influence of racism on health.”

For nearly 15 years, the Tulane CEMCH has partnered with the Tulane Prevention Research Center (PRC) to host seminars that enhance traditional public health skills. In 2015, the series evolved to focus on the intersections of health, communication and racism.

“The effects of racism are pervasive, and in public health work, we have a responsibility to recognize the influence of racism on health.”

Shokufeh Ramirez, Tulane Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health

The Health, Racism, and Communication Seminar series attracts a broad range of attendees including community organizers, neighborhood groups and public health professionals, as well as Tulane students, faculty and staff.

The seminars, which are free and open to the public, will take place at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, Sept. 11: “Why We Should Continue to Study Race, But Do a Better Job” will feature Thomas LaVeist, dean of Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity, in Diboll Auditorium.

Tuesday, Sept. 18: “Creating Change to Support Health Equity in Healthcare Institutions” will feature Julie Fitch, testing and capacity-building supervisor, STD/HIV Program, Louisiana Office of Public Health, in Room 1210.

Tuesday, Sept. 28: “Restorative Approaches: Finding Justice and Well-Being Through Connection” will feature Troi Bechet, founder and CEO, Center for Restorative Approaches, in Room 1210.

Recordings of the seminars will be made available on the Tulane PRC YouTube page afterward. Click here to download the Save the Date flyer.