Lawrence Weiss Interview; Region X (7/18/16)
1. Identification:
-What is your name? Lawrence D. Weiss PhD
-Where were you born? USA
-Where did you grow up? USA
-Profession currently: Retired
-Region working in right now: Anchorage Alaska
-State living in right now: Alaska
2. Why are you interested in public health and how did you
get into the field of public health?
Public health interests me because it is often intensely
political, deals with very real issues of interest to everyone, has a huge
policy component, and the subject matter is very broad, and it often deals with
the public sector on many levels as well as private sector.
3.What is health equity to you?
From the Health Equity Institute:
Healthy People
2020 defines health equity as the "attainment of the highest
level of health for all people." Everyone deserves a fair chance to lead a
healthy life. No one should be denied this chance because of who they are or
their socio-economic opportunities.
This definition is a good place to start, in my view.
4.What are some challenges (that still persist) within the
field of health equity in public health?
Many of the factors contributing to "a healthy
life" are commodities in a capitalist socio-economic system, or are
influenced by dominant socio-economic values conditioned by a capitalist
system. All of this systematically works against "a fair chance to lead a
healthy life" for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
5.Why do you think those challenges still persist?
The dominant institutions in our society value money and
profits over the actual, practical attainment of health equity. International
comparisons with, for example, much of Europe, Canada, and Cuba give some
insight to what this really means.
6.What models within your workforce have worked to
encourage health equity?
Not really sure what "your workforce" means in
this context. Public k-12 schools have programs that tend to promote health
equity. Community health centers (FQHCs) tend to promote health equity. Some
public infrastructure and policies tend to promote a healthy life for all, but
even here it is mitigated by the wealth of the community, public and to a
lesser extent private programs to feed and house low-income persons promote
health equity... A unionized workforce tends to approach health equity more
effectively than a non-unionized workforce.
7. At the beginning of your career, what were some root
causes for health inequities and health disparities? How has those changed (or
not at all) following the end of your career?