The 2022 Dr. William ‘Bill’ Jenkins Health Equity Lecture

Dr. Donna Hubbard McCree, Associate Director for Health Equity at the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, opens the lecture honoring Dr. Bill Jenkins. She discusses his significant contributions to public health and health equity, including his role in developing a strategic plan for minority health at the CDC. Greg Bautista, a health scientist, continues by emphasizing Dr. Jenkins' impact on health equity efforts and his early career at the CDC, highlighting his work in STD prevention, management of the Tuskegee Participants' Health Benefits Program, and his role in establishing the Office of Health Equity.

Dr. Diane Rowley, Dr. Jenkins' wife and a distinguished professor of public health, shares personal and professional insights into Dr. Jenkins' life. She recounts how they met, their family life, and his community organizing skills. Dr. Rowley provides anecdotes from different decades that illustrate Dr. Jenkins' commitment to social justice and health equity, including his work on the Tuskegee Syphilis study and the formation of the Society for the Analysis of Public Health Issues (SAPHI).

Ati Kazari, an alum of Project IMHOTEP and a health communications specialist, introduces Dr. Helene Gayle, the president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust and the incoming president of Spelman College. Kazari discusses her own experience with Project IMHOTEP and its impact on her career. Dr. Gayle shares her career path and the inspiration behind her focus on health equity, discussing the influence of the Civil Rights Movement and her practical decision to pursue medicine as a means to address inequity at a population level.

Dr. Helene Gayle elaborates on her approach to public health, emphasizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health and the interconnectedness of various aspects of life on health outcomes. She discusses the challenges faced in advancing health equity, particularly the limitations of working within a 'narrow health box' and the need to integrate health systems with other sectors. Dr. Gayle also addresses the critical role of recognizing and combating systemic racism.

Dr. Gayle discusses her work at the Chicago Community Trust, focusing on economic development as a means to advance health equity in Chicago. She highlights the Trust's efforts to address economic inequity, which underlies various social issues, including health disparities. Dr. Gayle underscores the importance of closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap to achieve a more significant impact on life expectancy, education, and public safety.

The speakers emphasize the need for key partnerships and a multilevel approach to advance health equity. They discuss the importance of collaboration across federal and local agencies, communities, and various sectors such as housing and education. The speakers also stress the need for creativity, persistence, and boldness in policy strategies to achieve sustainable change and combat racism and discrimination.

The discussion touches on incorporating global policies into public health practice and the bioethical implications of related studies. There is a call for early career professionals to be supported with mentoring and guidance on long-term goals. The speakers also address the importance of setting a baseline understanding and common language across different institutions and disciplines working towards health equity.

Dr. Gayle and Dr. Mermin, both physicians, discuss the barriers between public health and clinical care. They mention the lack of financial incentives for preventive health in clinical settings and the need for public health to better communicate its benefits. The speakers also highlight the pressures faced by doctors due to the healthcare industry's time constraints, which affect the quality of patient care and the establishment of trust.

The speakers address the importance of giving leadership positions to those who resemble the epidemics being addressed to effect change. They discuss the lessons learned from the HIV and COVID-19 responses, including the need for rapid response, the dangers of misinformation, and the importance of avoiding stigmatization. The speakers also touch on the topic of reparations as an investment in the future and a means to address long-standing disparities.

Dr. Darren Burton thanks all participants for their contributions to the event and summarizes the key lessons from the discussions. He highlights the need for long-term commitment to achieving equity through individual actions, community organizing, organizational strategies, and policy changes. Dr. Burton also introduces the NCHHSTP equity initiative, which aims to integrate equity into all aspects of the center's operations and public health programs. The event concludes with a special presentation to Dr. Gayle, recognizing her service with a clock engraved as a token of appreciation.