Welcome! Here is the latest from the committee.
The School of Public Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee would like to thank all of those who participated in our first virtual Photo Essay Exhibition: Images of Justice/Injustice in Louisiana.
We appreciated the open and honest conversation that resulted during this event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a revolution in values with an expansive vision. The photo essays we received from faculty, staff and students across LSUHSC spoke to the call for action to ‘eradicate social and racial disparities in healthcare’; the power of storytelling in cultivating empathy for one another; the dreams and hopes of youth; the protests following the murder of George Floyd; book stores as community spaces; and much more.
And yet, one of the many things that stuck out during the virtual event was how though we spoke about New Orleans, though the project was about Louisiana, the ideas and realities of injustice shared amongst the audience extended beyond this space and led to conversations about global issues showing us once again, how we’re more connected than we think.
COVID & Stigma Video
Committee members Hasheemah Afaneh and Lindsay Simpson recently completed a project to look at not just the effects COVID 19 may have on one’s physical health, but some of the underlying health issues associated with racism and discrimination that have also surfaced since the outbreak.
The result is a three and half minute video highlighting how past pandemics showed underlying racism in all aspects of life, how this is affecting Asian populations now and touches on ways that Public Health workers, and indeed everyone, can help.
Please watch and share COVID 19 and Stigma.
Book Club
Join us in 2022-2023 every month starting in September! See the attached list to know what we’re reading this year!
The SPH DEI Committee wrapped up this academic year’s book club in conversation with Sandro Galea, epidemiologist, writer and author, and Dean of Boston University School of Public Health. If you missed it, check out the conversation below. You’ll hear from Dr. Galea and the audience!
This year, we’ll be alternating between books and a variety of podcast episodes. We’ll reconvene every 2nd Wednesday, starting September 2023 to talk about The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth and Power by Diedre Mask. Check out the details below.
Check out our Book Club 2020 Year in Review here
Other recent selections Include Becoming by Michelle Obama, Maid by Stephanie Land, Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez, Educated by Tara Westover, The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang, Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the 21st Century edited by Alice Wong, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Solitary by Albert Woodfox, Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique Morris, The Deepest Well: Long-term Effects of Childhood Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris, Our Women On the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World edited by Zahra Hankirand, and others.
For more information, email Hasheemah Afaneh, MPH at hafane@lsuhsc.edu or sphdiversity@lsuhsc.edu.
Conscious Roots Initiative
This summer the SPH’s administration and faculty will come together to work on issues raised in our most recent climate survey. Conscious Roots will lead us as we develop and implement changes to strengthen our diversity, equity and inclusion for students, staff, and faculty. The initiative includes workshops, homework, two retreats, and coaching.
About the Committee
The committee strives to increase diversity, inclusion and equity in public health education, research, and practice with a focus on both individuals and populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, economic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, veteran status or national origin. It works across all aspects of the SPH: the classroom, the workplace, research and public health practice. Membership includes 20 staff, students, faculty and administrators, and representation across all programs.
SPH Diversity & Inclusion Committee Reports
Presentation by Committee Chair – June 12, 2020
Climate Survey Presentation Meeting Recording – June 12, 2020 (Password:5Q^#A6+6 )
Climate Survey Report – Part 1
Climate Survey Report – Part 2
Anonymous Reporting
If you have witnessed or experienced acts of harassment or discrimination, simply visit the School of Public Health Ethics & Integrity webpage to report an incident. Reports may be filed at www.lsu.ethicspoint.com or toll-free at 855-561-4099.
Contact Information
Tung-Sung Tseng, DrPH, MS, CHES/MCHES, Committee Chair
Lisa V., Staples, MPH, CHES
sphdiversity@lsuhsc.edu
Resources
American Public Health Association (APHA) on Racism and Health
Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life and History Free online course offered by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
Conscious Roots radio and blog
Xavier University’s Center for Equity, Justice, and the Human Spirit
National Academies’ Report on Sexual Harassment in Academic Science, Engineering and Medicine