Gender And Health Policy Class

Film: Unnatural Causes: In Sickness and In Wealth

What was the most important thing you learned from watching Unnatural Causes? The film focuses on disparities in terms of class and race. Explain how you see these issues when gender is considered as well. How can we apply theses issues to understand some of the questions raised in the film?

Three important things to keep in mind as you watch the video: 1) this film was released in 2008 and so was filmed BEFORE the big economic downturn of recent years. That means the economic issues raised tend to be worse or more extreme now than they were when the film was made. 2) This film was made before Obama was in office and before the ACA passed (also known as Obamacare). 3) This part of the film focuses on inequities based on race and class but not on gender. Try to keep the gender question in mind as you watch.

Next, delve into the readings. Finally, browse the websites for things that interest you and to get a little familiar with them.

Film: Unnatural Causes: In Sickness and In Wealth
Unnatural Causes Website
http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/
Readings:
APHA, “Health Disparities: The Basics”
APHA website
Adler and Rehkopf “U.S. Disparities in Health: Descriptions, Causes, and Mechanisms,” 2008
Link & Phelan, “Social Conditions as Fundamental Cause of Disease,” 2008
“Constructing whiteness in health disparities research,” Daniels, Jessie and Amy J. Schulz. 2006
NY Times

http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/

http://www.apha.org/