Educating Future Health Care Workers about Institutionalized Privilege and Structural Inequality

• In Event: 322 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Medical sociologists have an obligation to educate future health care workers about structural inequality in an effort to reduce health disparities. This includes understanding sources of privilege as well as disadvantage. Most students understand social class privilege and possibly gender privilege, but skin-color privilege continues to elude many. In 2006, a documentary (Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible) became available to address this concern. I use this video to help future health care workers better understand institutionalized privilege and structural inequality. This paper examines its effectiveness. First, I situate the video in the literature on whiteness and white privilege and then I discuss its content and relevance in a course on Health & Aging. Next, I assess its effectiveness in understanding institutionalized privilege and structural inequality, and share five years of observations of student reactions to the material. Last, I discuss its use beyond courses in Health & Aging.

Author

• Robin D. Moremen, Northern Illinois University