Matt, Nav, and Kyle dive into the realities of our inequitable healthcare system and the opportunities to reimagine our systems to be truly community-based. They explore the ins and outs of organizing for equity within healthcare institutions - and ultimately argue for an expanded, interconnected definition of "health" that invites everyone into the work of health equity and offers a more holistic view of healthcare. Kyle shares his work on global health equity that involve community members on a grassroots level. Nav shares lessons learned around organizing within the healthcare system from his innovative approach to behavioral healthcare and addiction treatment. Nav, Kyle, and Matt explore how COVID has highlighted parts of the current system that concentrate power within formal healthcare institutions to the detriment of many communities, particularly low-income communities and Black and brown communities. They then shift to thinking through how to democratize the healthcare system so that it can be driven by community members and address these inequities from the ground up.

Note: Transcripts for every podcast episode can be found on the podcast's website under 'Transcripts.'

Resources: 

• Kyle Lambert's Instagram
• Med For All Global
• BrightView Health
• ShatterProof
• The Addiction Policy Forum

Bios:

Dr. Navdeep Kang is a psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer for BrightView Health where he leads the development, implementation, and research on best-practices in addiction treatment. He has devoted his professional efforts to advancing healthcare access and quality, particularly as related to behavioral health. Dr. Kang was selected by President and Mrs. Obama for the Obama Foundation’s inaugural Fellowship class for his leadership in treating addiction collaboratively with partners across the healthcare system. His editorial pieces on addiction policy have been featured by the Huffington Post UK, London School of Economics, The Hill, local news outlets, and PBS Newshour.

Kyle Lambert is a Jamaican-born community organizer and health equity activist. With diverse work in communities worldwide, his nonprofit, Med For All Global, has allowed him to effectuate meaningful change in the health of vulnerable populations. He recently joined the CDC’s Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis Team, where he is expanding his reach in the fight for health equity in all realms. As recognized by Congressional Legislation and several other service awards, Kyle puts tireless effort into the betterment of all lives. He has been a huge amplifier of mutual aid initiatives across the United States as he defines his vision as one of community-driven care. Kyle is currently studying at Stanford University with a major in Neurobiology and a minor in Global Health.