In Solidarity: Connecting Power, Place and Health

Latest Episodes:

Strengthening democracy for better health Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

Students’ social studies scores have plummeted, due in part to disinvestment in civic education. Yet, studies show a clear connection between the civics foundation laid in schools and participation in our democracy into adulthood. And creating strong civic health equals healthier communities overall. Host Ericka Burroughs-Girardi kicks off the series with civic education expert Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, a Tufts University senior researcher at the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), Siegel-Stechler discusses why improving democracy and our health requires shifting mindsets and investing in civic education. 

Strengthening democracy for better health Jan 23, 2024

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In Solidarity is back for a new series on the importance of supporting young people in strengthening our democracy and how building this foundation impacts everyone’s health. We’re bringing you three exciting conversations with civic education expert Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, prolific author and Citizen University CEO Eric Liu, and a young community advocate and Winston-Salem State University freshman, Olivia Cody.

Building Power for Civic Health Jun 28, 2023

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When people closest to problems have the power to influence solutions, those solutions often benefit everyone. In our final episode of this series on civic health, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi explore strategies to ensure everyone has a voice and the opportunity for collective change. They are joined by Solange Gould, the co-director of Human Impact Partners, who discusses the role narratives play in building power and improving civic health. Dr. Erika Blacksher, the John B. Francis Chair in Bioethics and a professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, concludes our series by defining democratic deliberation and how it’s related to health equity.

Leveraging the Strengths of Public Health & Health Care for a Healthy Democracy Jun 21, 2023

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Public health and health care systems can play an important role in improving civic health. In the third episode of this series, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi dive into examples of public health and health care organizations’ efforts to increase civic participation. They are joined by Jeanne Ayers, the executive director of Healthy Democracy Healthy People, who discusses both challenges and victories to increase voter registration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aliya Bhatia, executive director of Vot-ER, shares how bringing voter registration into emergency rooms, hospitals and community health centers has moved health beyond the exam room.

Using the Tools of Democracy for Better Health Jun 14, 2023

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There’s a growing body of evidence that shows that people living in areas with structural barriers, such as laws that restrict voter eligibility, registration and opportunities to participate, have lower voter turnout and shorter life expectancy. In our second episode, hosts Beth Silver Ericka Burroughs-Girardi are joined by Daniel Dawes, executive director of the Institute of Global Health Equity at Meharry Medical College, and the founder of the political determinants of health framework. Dawes discusses how the political determinants have shaped communities’ abilities to define and address public problems. Dr. Peniel Joseph, an author, professor and founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at The University of Texas at Austin, also joins the conversation to provide examples of how tools of democracy — historical and present — have shaped where we are today.

Better Health Through Civic Health Jun 07, 2023

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How do the opportunities to vote, have a say in our futures and connect in our communities impact our health? Hosts Ericka Burroughs-Girardi and Beth Silver explore civic health and its connection to everyone’s health. We kick off the series with Julia Kaufman, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, who explains why civic infrastructure is important and how it’s tied to health equity. We’re also joined by Dawn Hunter of the Network for Public Health Law and the lead author of the Health & Democracy Index, who explains the link between restrictive voting policies and poorer health outcomes.

Introducing: Civic Health Mar 16, 2023

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In Solidarity is back for a brand-new series on civic health.

The Myth of the Gender Pay Gap Myth Oct 26, 2022

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Type “the gender pay gap” into any search engine and one of the first results that pops up will be: “The gender pay gap myth.” In the final episode of this miniseries, hosts Beth Silver and Ericka Burroughs-Girardi bust myths and break down the toxic narratives around the gender pay gap. They are joined by Dr. Jonathan Heller, a senior fellow at the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, who talks about how toxic narratives maintain systems and policies that keep women undervalued and underpaid. Dr. Jessamyn Schaller, an economics professor and co-author of The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap, concludes our series by making the connections between the pay gap and women’s health.

S2 E2: Solving the Gender Pay Gap Oct 19, 2022

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The gender pay gap is a complex issue and closing it will require multiple solutions. In our second of three episodes on the topic, hosts Ericka Burroughs-Girardi and Beth Silver are joined by Dr. Jessica Milli, an economist and the founder of the consulting firm Research 2 Impact. Dr. Milli talks about how the gender pay gap harms our health, entire communities and the economy. Our colleague Kiersten Frobom, a senior analyst on our evidence and policy analysis team, also joins the conversation to discuss the strategies that communities and organizations are using to close the gender pay gap.

S2 E1: Connecting the Gender Pay Gap to Everyone’s Health Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

Hosts Ericka Burroughs-Girardi and Beth Silver investigate the gender pay gap and answer important questions about how we got here and how it affects our health. On average, women in this country make little more than 80 cents for every dollar white men make. The pay gap is much wider for women of color. We kick off the series with our colleague, Dr. Elizabeth Blomberg, who explains the data behind the gender pay gap. We’re also joined by Dr. Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, who sets the stage on the history of women’s wages and how we can close the gap.