Conversations in Equity Posts

Conversations in Equity is a collection of blogs dedicated to increasing the awareness of health inequities. We share stories on how partnerships help address health disparities to ultimately achieve our vision of ensuring all people have an opportunity to live as healthy as possible.

Promoting and Protecting the Health of Women: Saving Lives by Preventing Drug Overdoses

“Here’s your script”, the doctor said to me [Karin], as he handed me a refill for an opioid medication at a post-surgical follow-up visit. This action caught me off guard. I was fortunate that my pain had been short-lived and easily controlled, and I hadn’t finished the initial round of medications I was given. Thankfully, Read More >

Posted on by Karin A. Mack, PhD and Natasha Underwood, PhDLeave a comment

Physical Inactivity is More Common among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Most States

Join Active People, Healthy NationSM to help more people become physically active. Too many adults are inactive, and inactivity levels differ notably by race and ethnicity. These facts make me all the more committed to the success of Active People, Healthy NationSM, CDC’s new initiative to make it easier for people to be physically active Read More >

Posted on by Janet E. Fulton, PhD, Chief of CDC’s Physical Activity and Health Branch in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity2 Comments

Promoting and protecting the health of women and girls: In celebration of the Office of Women’s Health on their 25th Anniversary!

doctor meeting with her patient

Congratulations to CDC’s Office of Women’s Health (OWH) on celebrating 25 years! That’s 25 years of promoting public health research, evidence-based programs, policies, and strategies that improve the health and safety of all women and girls. It is quite an accomplishment. The Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) is pleased to have collaborated with OWH throughout Read More >

Posted on by RADM Wanda Barfield, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP18 Comments

Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Adult Obesity and Encouraging Physical Activity this National Minority Health Month

Every person should be able to reach his or her full health potential. I’m proud of the work we do in CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) to support Americans’ journey to good health—especially among people most vulnerable to chronic disease. We protect the health of Americans at every stage of life by encouraging regular physical activity and good nutrition, helping to prevent obesity in children and adults, and addressing barriers to treating obesity in children. Read More >

Posted on by Ruth Petersen, MD, MPHLeave a comment

Mission Possible: A Year in Review

Dr. Redfield gets his flu shot.

As a long-time scientist and physician, I’ve treated patients in a range of environments – from U.S. cities and military bases, to sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2010. Throughout those experiences, I saw firsthand the impact that health disparities could have on health outcomes. That’s why – even Read More >

Posted on by Dr. Robert R. Redfield, Director, CDC and Administrator, ATSDR4 Comments

Mission Possible: Reducing Disparities in Preterm Births in the United States

cute newborn baby

In 2001, a woman was transported to a Georgia hospital in preterm labor. She delivered a baby boy at 34 weeks gestation, six weeks before her due date. However, before this baby’s early birth, she was given medications to help her baby’s lungs mature more rapidly, and to slow down the labor. After her baby Read More >

Posted on by RADM Wanda Barfield, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP3 Comments

Mission Possible: Science to Action – Reducing Health Disparities

Lets stop HIV together logo

Nestor, a young man from El Salvador, was born with HIV but did not learn about his infection until he was a preteen. Arianna is a transgender woman living in the southern United States; she has been living with HIV since 2006. Anthony, who lives in New York, has been living with HIV for 23 Read More >

Posted on by Hazel D. Dean, ScD, DrPH (Hon), FACE2 Comments

Mission Possible: Preparing and Responding to Disasters through a Health Equity Lens

Satellite image of hurricane

It was September 2017, and like many others, I was watching as Hurricane Maria moved across the Atlantic Ocean heading towards the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Having been part of the recent responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, I was all too aware of the potential for devastation, especially for the most vulnerable Read More >

Posted on by Amy Wolkin, DrPH, MSPH, Vulnerable Populations Officer, CDC's Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response11 Comments

Mission Possible: Achieving Health Equity through Inclusive Public Health Practice

This month, we recognize the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the most comprehensive federal disability rights law that helps to ensure equal access.  On a beautiful spring morning, with the air crisp and the sun gently beaming down a father gathers a backpack of daily essentials and maneuvers his wheelchair towards Read More >

Posted on by Allison Hoit Tubbs, MS, CHES, Project Coordinator, NCHPAD1 Comment

Mission Possible: Too Heavy a Burden: Thoughts on the Impact of Violence Disparities Experienced by African Americans

Two boys running together on street with sun back light, toned image

I have fond childhood memories of spending Saturdays riding my bike purposefully through my neighborhood. There was nothing better than a sunny day that created the canvas for the perfect adventure-stopping at the library to check out a new book, getting a fresh pastry from the local bakery, and venturing across the neighborhood to walk Read More >

Posted on by Kameron J. Sheats, Ph.D.3 Comments