Researcher Williams explores racial health inequities, solutions

“What do we accomplish if all we do is treat illness and send people back to live in the same conditions that made them sick in the first place?” This question set the stage for the AONL virtual conference keynote address by David R. Williams, PhD, a professor of public health and chair of the department of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard University. In a sweeping presentation, Williams offered an overview of the complex ways race, racism, socioeconomic status and health behaviors affect physical and mental health. He cited startling examples to illustrate the ways social and economic factors align with significant disparities in the rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and life expectancy among racial groups. He also described an example of a nursing program transforming health and social outcomes for participants. He called on nurse leaders to raise awareness, develop political will and, above all, to build empathy. Williams ended with words borrowed from Robert Kennedy, urging listeners to commit to taking actions that will send forth “tiny ripples of hope.”