Homework answers / question archive / DECOLONIZING GLOBAL HEALTH   In this discussion, you will explore principles and strategies to decolonize global health, drawing from a powerful speech made by Professor Madhukar Pai at the AIDS 2022 conference

DECOLONIZING GLOBAL HEALTH   In this discussion, you will explore principles and strategies to decolonize global health, drawing from a powerful speech made by Professor Madhukar Pai at the AIDS 2022 conference

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DECOLONIZING GLOBAL HEALTH

 

In this discussion, you will explore principles and strategies to decolonize global health, drawing from a powerful speech made by Professor Madhukar Pai at the AIDS 2022 conference. You will consider how these principles can be applied more broadly to create a more just and effective global health landscape.

 

To prepare:

• Select one of the following quotes from Professor Madhukar Pai’s speech to elaborate upon.  
  • "When something happens once, I think it is fine to say it’s a bug. It’s an error. It’s a mistake. But if there is the same pattern that happens decade after decade after decade, there is only one explanation.” 
  • “We are fine with maintaining a charity model, a trickle-down charity model, but we are not keen to empower countries.”
  • “My path to salvation, I see as allyship.” 
• Identify one additional peer-reviewed resource that addresses the decolonization of global public health.  

 

Post a response to the following: 

• Related to the quote you selected, describe the challenges and potential solutions Pai is addressing.  
• Make connections between Pai’s quote and the peer-reviewed resource you identified.  
• Finally, share your perspective about the effects of racism and privilege on public health outcomes. Share solutions that may lead to greater equity in global public health.  

Support your work with specific citations from this module’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate.

 

 

Reading Resources:

 

• Abimola, S., Asthana, S., Montenegro, C., Guinto, R. R., Jumbam, D. T., Louskieter, L., Kabubei, K. M., Munshi, S., Muraya, K., Okumu, F., Saha, S., Saluja, D., & Pai, M. (2021). Addressing power asymmetries in global health: Imperatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.Links to an external site. PLOS Medicine, 18(6), e1003667. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003667
   
• Cash, R., & Patel, V. (2020). Has COVID-19 subverted global health?Links to an external site. The Lancet, 395(10238), 1687–1688. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31089-8
   
• Khan, M., Abimbola, S., Aloudat, T., Capobianco, E. Hawkes, S., & Rahman-Shepherd, A. (2021). Decolonising global health in 2021: A roadmap to move from rhetoric to reform.Links to an external site. BMJ Global Health, 6, e005604. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005604  

 

Media Resources:

 

• TBPPM Learning Network. (2022, August 9). A call to address racism and colonialism in global health | Prof. Madhukar Pai at AIDS 2022Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJQkSO2zw6c

 

Respond to at least two of your peers in one or more of the following ways: 

• Respond to a colleague who chose a different quote and ask a probing question. 
• Make connections between the quotes you and your colleagues selected. 
• Introduce a peer-reviewed journal article to expand upon a colleague’s post. 
• Short but argumentative responds with references.

 

 

Akua Kyerewaa Adu

 

Quote: “When something happens once, I think it is fine to say it’s a bug. It’s an error. It’s a mistake. But if there is the same pattern that happens decade after decade after decade, there is only one explanation.” 

 Challenges and Potential Solutions Addressed by Pai

The quote by Dr. Madhukar Pai highlights a persistent issue in global public health: systemic and repeated patterns of inequity that are not mere accidents but indicative of deeper, structural problems. Dr. Pai suggests that when these patterns of inequity persist over decades, they reveal underlying systemic biases and institutional racism that shape public health outcomes. This recognition calls for a shift from viewing such issues as isolated incidents to understanding them as manifestations of ongoing structural inequities.

Pai's focus is on the need to address the root causes of these patterns, which include historical and ongoing colonialism, racism, and socioeconomic disparities. These root causes create significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and among marginalized populations. Solutions involve comprehensive strategies aimed at decolonizing global public health, which includes:

1. Acknowledging Historical Context: Recognizing the historical roots of health inequities linked to colonial practices that have left lasting impacts on health systems and societal structures.
2. Promoting Equity in Healthcare Delivery: Ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources and services for all populations.
3. Inclusive Research and Policymaking: Involving diverse populations in health research and policy development to address their specific needs and perspectives.
4. Capacity Building and Empowerment: Strengthening local health systems and empowering communities to take control of their health outcomes.

Peer-Reviewed Resource on Decolonization of Global Public Health

A relevant peer-reviewed article is "Decolonizing Global Health: Transnational Research Partnerships Under the Spotlight" by Keikelame and Swartz (2019), published in the journal Global Health Action. This article examines how global health research partnerships often perpetuate colonial dynamics, with researchers from high-income countries typically leading projects in low- and middle-income countries. It calls for a decolonization of these partnerships by promoting equitable collaboration, capacity building, and the recognition of local expertise.

Connections Between Pai’s Quote and the Peer-Reviewed Resource

Both Pai’s quote and the article by Keikelame and Swartz emphasize the need to address systemic patterns of inequity in global public health. Pai identifies the enduring nature of these inequities as indicative of structural issues rather than isolated incidents. Similarly, Keikelame and Swartz argue that the power dynamics in global health research partnerships often reflect colonial legacies, perpetuating inequities rather than addressing them.

The connection lies in their shared understanding that to achieve equity in global public health, it is crucial to deconstruct and challenge these long-standing patterns of dominance and exclusion. Both call for a fundamental shift towards more inclusive, equitable, and decolonized practices in global health.

Effects of Racism and Privilege on Public Health Outcomes

Racism and privilege have profound effects on public health outcomes. Systemic racism can lead to disparities in healthcare access, quality of care, and health outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups. Privilege, often held by populations in high-income countries or dominant racial groups, exacerbates these disparities by influencing policy decisions, resource allocation, and research priorities that do not adequately address the needs of marginalized populations.

Solutions for Greater Equity in Global Public Health:

1. Equitable Resource Allocation: Redistributing resources to ensure that low- and middle-income countries have access to the necessary funding, technology, and healthcare infrastructure.
2. Inclusive Policy Development: Creating health policies that are inclusive of and responsive to the needs of all populations, particularly those historically marginalized.
3. Anti-Racism Training: Implementing anti-racism training for healthcare providers and policymakers to address implicit biases and structural racism within health systems.
4. Community Empowerment: Supporting community-led health initiatives that empower local populations to take charge of their health and advocate for their needs.
5. Ethical Research Practices: Promoting ethical research practices that prioritize equitable partnerships and capacity building in low- and middle-income countries.

By addressing these systemic issues, we can move towards a more equitable global public health landscape that truly serves the needs of all populations.

 References:

 

Lawrence, D. S., & Hirsch, L. A. (2020). Decolonizing global health: transnational research partnerships under the spotlight. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7651076/Links to an external site.

Abimola, S., Asthana, S., Montenegro, C., Guinto, R. R., Jumbam, D. T., Louskieter, L., Kabubei, K. M., Munshi, S., Muraya, K., Okumu, F., Saha, S., Saluja, D., & Pai, M. (2021). Addressing power asymmetries in global health: Imperatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=e44e92f1-e000-4b33-a6ae-f26493cda247%40redis&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXNoaWImc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZlJnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#AN=149938502&db=a9hLinks to an external site.

 

 

Teara Nishara Sims

 

Quote: “My path to salvation, I see as allyship.” 

 

Related to the quote you selected, describe the challenges and potential solutions Pai is addressing.

Pai may be tackling problems including prejudice, social injustice, and structural oppression. People may find it difficult to identify their own route to salvation and to feel supported along the way as a result of these obstacles. Promoting inclusion, understanding, and support throughout communities is one of Pai's suggested answers. People who can provide a more accepting and encouraging atmosphere where everyone can flourish and find their own routes to salvation by forging strong allyships and advocating for marginalized groups. It involves identifying the obstacles that need to be overcome, dealing with them, and banding together to do so.

Make connections between Pai’s quote and the peer-reviewed resource you identified.  

The quotation "My path to salvation, I see as allyship" and the peer-reviewed article on resolving power imbalances in global health following the COVID-19 pandemic both stress the significance of cooperation and support when pursuing a shared objective. Power disparities can occur in the context of health, impeding advancement and posing obstacles to reaching favorable results. The idea that forging solid bonds and standing by one another might help one achieve salvation or overcome obstacles is highlighted in Pai's quote. In a similar vein, the peer-reviewed source probably addresses the necessity of addressing power dynamics and disparities in global health to guarantee that everyone, regardless of background or status, has equitable access to resources and healthcare during emergencies like the COVID-19 epidemic. In order to overcome obstacles and achieve great outcomes in a variety of contexts, whether they be personal or global in scope, the phrase and the resource both emphasize how important it is to collaborate, assist underrepresented groups, and promote inclusivity. We may move closer to a society that is more just and equitable by acknowledging and resolving power disparities and showing support for one another.

Finally, share your perspective about the effects of racism and privilege on public health outcomes. Share solutions that may lead to greater equity in global public health. 

Due to the gaps in healthcare access, increased prevalence of chronic illnesses, and shorter life expectancies among marginalized communities, racism and privilege have a substantial detrimental influence on public health outcomes. These structural problems exacerbate inequality and obstruct global attempts to attain health equity. Adopting policies that promote fairness and address the underlying causes of health inequalities is crucial in order to address these issues. This entails encouraging inclusivity and diversity in healthcare settings, offering care that is sensitive to cultural differences, addressing the social determinants of health, and supporting laws that eliminate privilege and systematic racism. More opportunities, resources, and knowledge for underserved populations can also aid in closing the gap in health outcomes and advance more equity in public health. Together, we can fight to create a more just and equitable society where everyone has the chance to prosper and live healthy lives by addressing racism and privilege in public health through cooperative efforts, education, and action. 

 

 

References:

 

Abimola, S., Asthana, S., Montenegro, C., Guinto, R. R., Jumbam, D. T., Louskieter, L., Kabubei, K. M., Munshi, S., Muraya, K., Okumu, F., Saha, S., Saluja, D., & Pai, M. (2021). Addressing power asymmetries in global health: Imperatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.Links to an external site. PLOS Medicine, 18(6), e1003667. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003667Links to an external site. 

 

Poltras, C., Cruz, A., & Rodriguez, C. (2024). Inaugural Symposium Highlights Need for Allyship and Equity in Global Health. https://ysph.yale.edu/news-article/inaugural-symposium-highlights-need-for-allyship-and-equity-in-global-health/Links to an external site.