3.00 Credits
This course begins with the African context and imposition of chattel slavery. To that extent, the course examines social, cultural and historical factors affecting the health status of African Americans to the present era. It explores a variety of health-related issues, including the interplay between environment, biology and culture, and popular health practices; folk and popular health practices; structured inequality and oppression; lifestyle, beliefs and values; and the organization and delivery of health care. In particular, the course will explore how various forces (e.g., environmental, structural, social and political states of anti-Black racism-based trauma) have impacted the quest for African American health and well-being. Additionally, the course takes a sociohistorical perspective to engage students in learning about how various systems, institutions, and experiences impact Black health. Some of the more pertinent issues, events, and experiences to be discussed include: the Tuskegee Experiment, Henrietta Lacks, and the realities of “Medical Apartheid,” which reveal some historical grounding for contemporary issues, such as the Flint water crisis, environmental justice, access to healthy foods, and generational trauma. Each of these contribute to the health and vibrancy of African American families and communities.