The Health Disparities Podcast

By Movement is Life, IncBusiness Medicine Health & Fitness Non-Profit

The Health Disparities Podcast episodes

June 10Designing Systems That Move With Communities with Dr. Caira Boggs
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Ber‑Henda Williams sits down with Dr. Caira Boggs, Director of the Michigan Public Health Institute’s Center for Health Innovation and Practice and Detroit Health Initiatives. A proud Detroit native and Detroit Public Schools graduate, Dr. Boggs leads 16 initiatives focused on health equity, recovery, food access, chronic disease prevention, and community‑led grantmaking — all grounded in the lived experiences of Detroit neighborhoods.
Dr. Boggs shares the early moments that shaped her understanding of inequity, from growing up in a deeply connected Detroit community to witnessing stark disparities when she left home for college. Her path from kinesiology and pre‑med to public health leadership was fueled by a desire to advocate for people who look like her — especially after learning how maternal and infant health outcomes disproportionately impact Black women, regardless of income or education.
Together, Ber‑Henda and Dr. Boggs explore:
What resilience looks like in Detroit neighborhoods, where communities “keep going, keep moving, no matter what,” despite redlining, food insecurity, and structural barriers.
How Detroit schools and neighborhood roots shaped Dr. Caira’s public health lens.
Worker health realities in Detroit’s plants — from blood pressure to chronic disease risks.
What recovery‑friendly workplaces need: Narcan access, dignity, and long‑term support.
Food insecurity as both structural and neighbor‑to‑neighbor — and how small acts help.
Neighborhood‑driven solutions like micro‑grants, walking clubs, and anchor organizations.
How COVID‑19 exposed inequities and elevated social determinants of health.
Dr. Boggs also reflects on the personal experiences that continue to motivate her — from loved ones whose health outcomes could have been different with better access, to the collective trauma and awakening brought on by the pandemic. Her message is clear: every person has the power to change someone’s trajectory, whether through advocacy, compassion, or simply knowing the people on your block.
This episode is essential listening for anyone working in community health, public health, philanthropy, health equity, or systems‑level change — and for anyone who believes in the strength and brilliance of Detroit’s neighborhoods.
27 min
May 27The Path to Health Runs Through Place with Danielle Lewinski
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Michael Randall talks with Danielle Lewinski, Chief Program Officer at the Center for Community Progress, about how vacant properties, neighborhood conditions, and public policy directly shape health outcomes.
Danielle breaks down why the U.S. has millions of vacant and substandard homes and how these conditions fuel chronic disease, mobility challenges, safety concerns, and long‑term disinvestment. She explains how public policy, code enforcement, tax foreclosure systems, and land banks can either reinforce inequity or create pathways to healthier, thriving communities.
You’ll learn about:
How vacant properties harm health
Why policy change is essential for neighborhood recovery
How vacancy affects mobility and safety
Green reuse strategies that improve community wellbeing
The most damaging myths about vacancy
Upstream vs. reactive systems in property revitalization
Perfect for viewers interested in health equity, urban policy, community development, mobility justice, and place‑based public health.
33 min
May 13Health Begins in Community with Dexter Sullivan
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Ber‑Henda Williams sits down with Dexter Sullivan—global strategist, community builder, and CEO of the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition. Dexter opens up about his Detroit roots, the generational stories that shaped him, and the urgent work of preserving Black legacy as a pathway to better health and stronger communities.
He reflects on the influence of his grandparents, the educators who nurtured his identity, and the cultural traditions that continue to guide his leadership. Dexter also discusses the emotional realities Black men face, the importance of remembrance in community healing, and how culturally aligned approaches can transform health outcomes.
You’ll hear insights on:
How legacy preservation strengthens community health
The role of Detroit’s cultural lineage in shaping identity
Why policy rollbacks threaten social determinants of health
Supporting Black men through grief and emotional processing
Culturally rooted “couture solutions” in health equity work
The power of gathering, food, and the table as healing spaces
This conversation is a must‑listen for anyone working in health equity, community leadership, Black mental health, public health, or culturally responsive care. It’s a grounding, heart‑centered reminder that love, memory, and community are essential parts of the health ecosystem.
35 min
April 29 The Cost of Not Being Heard: Clinical Dismissal and the Push for Change
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, Dr. Mary O’Connor speaks with Stephanie A. Wynn—author, Crohn’s survivor, and founder of The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation. Stephanie shares her powerful journey through years of misdiagnosis, medical dismissal, pregnancy loss, and a near‑death experience that ultimately shaped her mission to support underserved IBD patients.
She breaks down the barriers many patients face when navigating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and explains how her IBD Patient Navigator® Program helps individuals access specialists, understand their diagnosis, reduce ER visits, and overcome social determinants of health.
You’ll hear insights on:
• The impact of delayed diagnosis and clinical bias
• The difference between IBS and IBD
• Why community health workers are essential to IBD care
• How journaling and documentation strengthen patient advocacy
• Expanding navigator programs into rural and underserved communities
This conversation is a must‑listen for anyone working in gastroenterology, community health, patient navigation, or health equity.

44 min
April 15 Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society
In this rewind episode, we explore the concept of weathering — the cumulative, biological toll that chronic stress from living in an unjust society can have on people from marginalized communities. This framework helps explain why health disparities persist, and why they often deepen over time.
Our guest is Dr. Arline Geronimus, a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and Institute for Social Research. She is also affiliated with the Center for Research on Ethnicity, Culture and Health, and is the author of Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society.
Dr. Geronimus joins us to unpack the science behind weathering, the lived realities it reflects, and what it means for public health, policy, and equity.
35 min
April 01Changing Lives Through Compassionate Care
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Joyce Knestrick sits down with Mia L. Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Agape Family Health, a community‑rooted health system serving Jacksonville with comprehensive medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health services.
Agape’s mission is simple and powerful: “everyone deserves quality, affordable care delivered with compassion, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.” Mia shares the experiences that shaped her path to leadership and the values that fuel her commitment to community‑centered care. She discusses the gaps she saw when stepping into her role and how Agape works every day to remove barriers to access—from sliding‑scale payment options to neighborhood‑based clinics across Jacksonville.
Together, Joyce and Mia explore:
What a new patient experiences when accessing Agape’s family practice, women’s health, pharmacy, and behavioral health services
How integrating medical, pharmaceutical, and behavioral health improves outcomes for patients managing chronic conditions
The importance of trust, dignity, and compassionate care for patients who have faced dismissive or negative healthcare experiences
Jacksonville’s legacy of community‑based care—from Brewster Hospital to Dr. Alexander Darnes—and how that history shapes Agape’s mission today
Real‑world inequities such as transportation, insurance gaps, chronic disease burdens, and mistrust in the healthcare system
The partnerships, funding challenges, and operational realities of sustaining a mission‑driven nonprofit health system
Mia also shares powerful stories of impact—moments when Agape’s care changed the trajectory of someone’s life—and offers practical advice for clinicians and listeners who want to support health equity in their own communities.
This episode is essential listening for anyone working in community health, public health, philanthropy, health equity, or systems‑level change.
Subscribe for more conversations about community‑driven solutions, health equity, and the work to eliminate disparities.
36 min
March 18Turning Lived Experience Into Better Care: The FoXX Health Story
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Desiree Clemons talks with Maria Haugen, Founder and CEO of FoXX Health.
After experiencing months of dismissed symptoms, delayed testing, and uncertainty, Maria created FoXX—a daily health companion designed to help women track symptoms, prepare for appointments, and advocate for better care. Her story reflects a reality many women face in healthcare, and FoXX was built to ensure no woman has to wait months to be heard.
Maria shares how her personal health scare became the catalyst for a tool that turns lived experience into clarity, confidence, and actionable data. She explains the gaps she encountered—missed warning signs, lack of preparation tools, and the emotional toll of not being believed—and how those moments shaped the core features of FoXX from day one.
Desiree and Maria explore FoXX Health’s approach and discuss the broader landscape of women’s health, including:
How daily symptom tracking helps women communicate more effectively with clinicians
The importance of clinical credibility, privacy, and safety in digital health tools
Why women’s health is often treated as “niche,” and how that leads to worse outcomes
What developments give Maria hope for progress in women’s health equity
Lessons from fundraising and the challenges of building consumer‑focused health technology
Maria also reflects on earning third place at Movement Is Life’s 2025 PowerHER Pitch Competition—a recognition of her vision, momentum, and commitment to improving women’s health experiences.
This episode offers insights for anyone working in women’s health, digital health innovation, patient advocacy, community health, or health equity.
Subscribe to hear more conversations about community‑driven solutions, women’s health, and efforts to eliminate disparities.
28 min
March 04Bridging the Gap to Specialty Care: The WeCareJax Model with Angela Strain
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Dr. Mary O’Connor talks with Angela Strain, Executive Director of We Care Jax. For over 30 years, this organization has connected uninsured and under-resourced neighbors to lifesaving specialty care.

Angela shares powerful patient stories and draws on years of experience to show what it takes to remove barriers, build trust, and create a safety net that truly helps people. She explains real-world obstacles like transportation, language barriers, and the financial burden of illness, and highlights community-driven solutions that help people get the care they need.

Angela and Dr. O’Connor discuss We Care Jax’s approach and share stories from the patients they serve, exploring topics such as:
Community health workers use persistence, trust, and cultural insight to uncover the real reasons behind missed appointments or labels like “non‑compliant.”
Common specialty needs include cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, and advanced imaging, supported by a network of volunteer physicians.
Transportation support, hotel stays, translation services, and food access function as essential parts of healthcare, not optional add‑ons.
Florida’s expansion of the Volunteer Provider Program and the urgent need for increased dental funding are highlighted as key policy issues.
Peer‑to‑peer physician recruitment, strong hospital partnerships, and donor investment help sustain a model rooted in community trust.
Angela also talks about the heart of her work: making sure every patient leaves with no medical debt, their dignity intact, and a real chance to heal. Her stories, including patients moving from homelessness to stable housing and from fear to treatment, show why compassionate, community-centered care is so important.

This episode is full of stories and insights for anyone working in health equity, community health, philanthropy, public health, or systems change.

Subscribe to hear more conversations about community-driven solutions, health equity, and efforts to eliminate disparities.
37 min
February 18Strengthening Communities from Within: Equity, Wellness, and Collective Action with Dr. A and ReGina
What does real community‑centered health equity look like, and what does it take to sustain it? In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Jerail Fennell sits down with two powerful leaders in community health: Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik and ReGina Newkirk Rucci.
Together, they unpack the lived experiences, grassroots strategies, and relationship‑building that fuel their work across the country. From disrupting harmful systems to investing in local leadership, Dr. A and ReGina share what it truly means to listen to communities, partner with them, and build solutions that last. Drawing from their work with the Center for Thriving Communities, they discuss:
Why lived experience is essential to leadership
How grassroots organizations are transforming health outcomes
The importance of listening before acting What funders and institutions must do differently
Why hope, collective care, and community power still drive the movement
How real relationships — not extractive engagement — create lasting change
Dr. A also reflects on her book, A Life Worth Saving, and the belief that every life and every community deserves to thrive. A must‑hear conversation for anyone working in health equity, community engagement, philanthropy, public health, or systems change.
Subscribe for more conversations on health equity, community leadership, and the movement to eliminate disparities.
38 min
February 04Equity Under Pressure: Policy, Philanthropy, and the Path Forward with Dr. Giridhar Mallya
How do we protect and advance health equity in a rapidly changing political and legal landscape?
In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Christin Zollicoffer sits down with Dr. Giridhar Mallya — family physician, policy leader, and Senior Policy Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — to explore the future of health and racial equity work.
Dr. Mallya shares how his family’s immigrant story shaped his belief in the power of policy, and why funders must stay committed to equity even as restrictive laws and legal challenges grow across the country. He breaks down what organizations can do to stay mission‑aligned, legally sound, and resilient.
In this episode, Dr. Mallya discusses:
Why health equity remains a core priority for major funders
How philanthropy is supporting legal defense strategies
Practical ways organizations can navigate legal uncertainty
Why equity should be integrated — not hidden — in health initiatives
Lessons from states like Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama
How personal experience and clinical practice shape Dr. Mallya’s approach
A powerful conversation for funders, practitioners, and community leaders working to advance equity in challenging times.
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31 min

About The Health Disparities Podcast

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The Health Disparities Podcast is the world’s leading health equity discussion forum and is a program of Movement is Life. This podcast features thought leaders in the world of equitable health, and…