Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities

Provost Alan Garber invited the community to a University-wide symposium addressing the persistent problem of health disparities in the U.S. and beyond. What does the best research tell us about the causes of disparities and optimal strategies for eliminating them? What do various disciplines bring to the table in tackling racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care? How can we as a community leverage our resources to advance science in this area and make a difference "on the ground"?

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The discussion of these critical issues was led by leading thinkers from across the University, including:

• Margarita Alegría, PhD, Director, Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance; Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

• John Z. Ayanian, MD, MPP, Director, Health Disparities Research Program, Harvard Catalyst; Professor of Health Care Policy and of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Professor in Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health

• Donald Berwick, MD, MPP, FRCP, Former President and CEO, Institute for Healthcare Improvement; Former Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

• Norman Daniels, PhD, Mary B. Saltonstall Professor of Population Ethics and Professor of Ethics and Population Health; Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health

• Paul Farmer, MD, PhD, Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Founding Director, Partners In Health

• Evelynn M. Hammonds, PhD, Dean of Harvard College, Barbara Gutmann Rosenkrantz Professor of the History of Science and of African and African American Studies, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University

• Thomas Sequist, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital

• Alexandra E. Shields, PhD, Director, Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities; Co-Director, Health Disparities Research Program, Harvard Catalyst; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

• Augustus White, III, MD, PhD, Ellen and Melvin Gordon Distinguished Professor of Medical Education; Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School

• David R. Williams, PhD, Florence Sprague Norman and Laura Smart Norman Professor of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health; Professor of African and African American Studies and of Sociology, Harvard University

• Michelle Williams, ScD, Chair, Department of Epidemiology and Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health; Co-Director, Health Disparities Research Program, Harvard Catalyst

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Those with a Harvard ID may view the video archive of the Gene-Environment and Disparities Research Workshop Series here:

​https://evl.catalyst.harvard.edu/courses/14 

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Sponsored by the Office of the President and Provost

co-sponsored by:
The Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations and Health Disparities
The Harvard Catalyst Health Disparities Research Program
Office of the Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity and Equity

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Program Co-Chairs:

• Alexandra Shields PhD, Director, Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities; Co-Director, Health Disparities Research Program, Harvard Catalyst; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

• Lisa M. Coleman, PhD, Chief Diversity Officer and Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Assistant to the President for Institutional Diversity and Equity