UMass Boston

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Racism as a Public Health Problem

Course Overview

Date / Time Location Credits Minimium Tuition*
1/26/26 - 5/13/26
TuTh 2p.m. – 3:15p.m.		 Wheatley-Peters W01-0010 3 $2065 (guest students)
Date
1/26/26 - 5/13/26
Time
TuTh 2p.m. – 3:15p.m.
Location
Wheatley-Peters W01-0010
Credits
3
Min. Tuition*
$2065 (guest students)

Description

This course examines the ways in which racism structures health outcomes, healthcare access, and public health priorities in the United States and globally in ways that produce health disadvantages for historically marginalized groups. We will examine how racism affects health across many dimensions, and why health disadvantages have persisted for people of color over time despite remarkable progress in medical care and medical interventions. Drawing on theory and broad research from public health, we will examine how structural racism in medical experimentation, residential segregation, incarceration, discrimination, education, and employment have created health inequalities that are a public health problem. This course will emphasize the important role of racism as a social determinant of health. Students will be encouraged to think critically about how to design public health interventions that prioritize social justice to achieve health equity.

Guest registration opens January 12

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Course Details

Session

Regular Academic Session

Class Dates

1/26/2026 - 5/13/2026

Location

Wheatley-Peters W01-0010

Enrolled / Capacity

20 / 24

Status

Closed

Instructor

Chantel Maguire

Tuition*

$2065 (guest students)

* The tuition estimate is based on minimum, single-course cost to a new student who is a Massachusetts resident and not enrolled in a multi-course program. State residency, online/in person modality, and matriculation to a degree program may affect cost.

Tuition Details