Recognizing Privilege as a Social Determinant of Health During COVID-19

Elizabeth A Brown; Brandi M White

doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0038

Recognizing Privilege as a Social Determinant of Health During COVID-19

Health Equity. 2020 Aug 27;4(1):1-4. doi: 10.1089/heq.2020.0038. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Elizabeth A Brown¹, Brandi M White²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Professions, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
² Department of Health and Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

Abstract

There is a need for health professionals to identify social determinants of health (SDOH) and understand the role they play in patients' health. In fall 2019, authors taught health care studies students about SDOH using a modified privilege walk to show how privilege as SDOH can impact health. This novel approach to teach about privilege and SDOH is even more relevant in today's COVID-19 world. It is our hope that those with more privilege will (1) have increased awareness and sensitivity and (2) use their voice and power to advocate for underserved communities who are disproportionately affected by historical injustices.

Keywords: health inequities; minority health; privilege; public health; social determinants of health.