What We're Reading
We at Civic Health Alliance are always reading to learn more about what’s happening in our local and national communities. Below we’ve included a sample of what we’re reading and why and we hope you’ll check some of these sources out.
We’d love to hear what you’re reading. Let us know here: Tell Us What You’re Reading.
Civic Health Alliance, Medical Student
Julia kooser
What are you reading? Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine by Olivia Campbell
What do you like about this book? Many women died due to healthcare inaccessibility, largely due to physicians not understanding their unique medical needs. The book highlighted the need for representation in medicine of doctors of different gender identities, doctors of color, and doctors of different socioeconomic statuses. People have better health outcomes when healthcare providers reflect the diversity of the population and when doctors understand the unique needs of a diverse patient population.
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Why invest in reading about civic engagement in healthcare? Social determinants of health are key drivers of patient outcomes. Therefore, we must be civically engaged to address these social determinants.
Civic Health Alliance, Student Ambassador
Spoorthy Prabhudeva
What are you reading? Thank You for Voting: The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America by Erin Geiger Smith
What do you like about this book? Every single vote matters. It is easy to feel that our single vote is nonconsequential, but that is not true. As members of society, we must believe in the power of our vote. This leap of faith is an important one: it helps keep our democracy alive.
Why invest in reading about civic engagement in healthcare? Both providers and patients, in the setting of healthcare concerns or issues, may see civic duties as something too distant, something that cannot help them. I think it is important to challenge those assumptions because voting/civic engagement can make a difference.
Civic Health Alliance, Director of Policy and Partnerships
Jessica Dennehy
What are you reading? Invisibility Blues: From Pop to Theory (Radical Thinkers) by Michele Wallace
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What do you like about this book? This book is a collection of essays surrounding Michele Wallace, who grew up in Harlem (born 1952). I like this book because of the transparency and authenticity that is centered around Wallace’s hope for the future. The book explores the underrepresentation of Black voices in media, politics, and culture.
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Why invest in reading about civic engagement in healthcare? While this book is not directly related to healthcare, Wallace centers the importance of bringing attention to Black voices, which are historically underrepresented, and this contributes to negative health outcomes. I think it is important to read literature from systemically minoritized groups to understand how to best engage with and uplift the voices of historically underrepresented communities and avoid perpetuating harm.
Civic Health Alliance, California Common Cause
Russia Chavis Cardenas, MPP
What are you reading? Unrigged: How Americans are Battling Back to Save Democracy by David Daley
What do you like about this book? Unrigged includes stories of everyday people and grassroots groups working to preserve democracy. The case studies offer great strategies to spark your civic participation.
Why invest in reading about civic engagement in healthcare? Health care professionals have subject matter expertise that is needed to help shape public policy.
Civic Health Alliance, Just Equity for Health
sTELLA SAFO, MD, MPH
What are you reading? How We Can Win by Kimberly Jones
What do you like about this book? Jones is a Black woman activist whose lived experience and work have impacted her views of what it means to have power in the U.S. This book outlines how she believes all Americans, and especially Black Americans, can engage in our democratic system to share power and progress our society for the better.
Why invest in reading about civic engagement in healthcare? Books like this inspire me, because though we have a long way to go, we have examples like Ms. Jones to help us map how we get there.
Civic Health Alliance
Shannon shOOP
What are you reading? People Over Politics: A Nonpartisan Analysis of the Issues that Matter Most by Antony E. Ghee
What do you like about this book? People Over Politics is educational and helps you easily understand the issues with our government and where specifically the gaps are. The author informs readers on issues that matter. He touches on gun control, immigration, and human rights.