Dr. Sherman A. James presents in this videotape program on Social Determinants of Health: Implications for Intervening on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Social determinants are defined as life enhancing resources such as food supply, economic relationships, education opportunities, etc., whose distribution across populations effectively determines inter-population differences in length and quality of life. With a focus on the city of Detroit, Dr. James discusses:

• How macro-level social and economic forces have created racial disparities in living conditions and life chances in most US urban communities;
• The promise and limitations of community-based health promotion programs that actively involve community residents; and
• The role that quality, primary health care can play in reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health.

After viewing the program, you will be able to answer the following questions:

• Why is the elimination of health disparities vital to the U.S.?
• What are the factors that underlie persistent health disparities?
• What standards are appropriate in measuring progress in eliminating health disparities?
• How can public health professionals make real progress toward eliminating disparities?

This program is from the 4th Annual William T. Small Keynote Lecture from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Public Health, Minority Health Project. It was originally broadcast on March 1, 2002.

The conference, initiated by the UNC Minority Student Caucus in 1977, is the nation's oldest and largest student-run conference. The program was developed to highlight health issues of concern to people of color and to attract students interested in minority concerns to public health.