Episode 1: Fighting for Social Justice in Healthcare, with NY State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary Bassett

Dr. Mary Bassett is the New York State Commissioner of Health and has been fighting for social justice in healthcare for decades, dating all the way back to her time in college where she volunteered at a Black Panther Clinic.  Experiencing systemic racism in the pandemic was nothing new to her, and today she shares her thoughts on how and why COVID increased the racial health gap in the United States.

Voices in Equity is the official podcast of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University. The Cook Center is named after Samuel DuBois Cook, the first tenured Black professor at Duke University who exemplified the pursuit of social justice and equality. With

research focuses including social mobility, education, health, wealth, and policy, the Cook Center aims to develop a deep understanding of the causes and consequences of inequality, and develop remedies for these disparities and their adverse effects. The aim of this podcast is to expand upon the work of the Cook Center through continuing crucial conversations that further our research and programming.

On our first podcast series, we’re focusing on The Pandemic Divide: How COVID Increased Inequality in America. It’s a collaborative book from faculty - many here at Duke - who are committed to shining a light on inequities and truly making a difference.

Voices in Equity is hosted by Madeleine Braksick and is produced by Earfluence.