Introduction to: Critical work on health equity in all policies -- history, data, pedagogy, and action

What might health equity in all policies look like? Who has envisioned this? And what actions and organizing will it take, implemented by whom, and overcoming what political and economic obstacles, to transform this this critical idea from rhetoric to reality? To address these issues, this session’s 3 presentations reflect the 3 foci of our Spirit of 1848 caucus: social history of public health, politics of public health data, and progressive pedagogy. Hence, the 3 presentations will address:

-- the radical history of the idea of health equity in all policies, from a global perspective, as presented by Anne-Emanuelle Birn, ScD, MA (University of Toronto);

-- the politics of public health data as they play out in advancing and evaluating health equity in all policies, from the standpoint of a progressive public health agency seeking to implement such policies – as presented by the NYC Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, MPH

-- progressive pedagogy about health equity in all policies, from the vantage of a course that engages students in community-driven partnerships that implement this approach – drawing on the example of Indigenous people’s health and the “Nation Building” course offered by Dennis Norman, PhD, MA (Faculty Chair, Harvard University Native American Program and Chief of Psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital).

After these spirited presentations, there will be time for an equally spirited Q&A with the audience – so: do come! – for critical engagement and to be inspired, in keeping with the spirit of the Spirit of 1848!