#11 Understanding Health Disparities w/ Theodia Gillespie - President, Quad County Urban League
Season 1, Episode #11 Understanding Health Disparities w/ Theodia Gillespie - President, Quad County Urban League
Disparities in health and health care across the United States reveal weaknesses in the country's health systems. Understanding what these disparities are, how they originate, and their effects on health outcomes and the health care system can help determine strategies and policies that benefit the health of individuals, their communities, and the United States as a whole.
During this deep dive into The Policy Circle’s Health Disparities and Determinants of Health brief, Sylvie and community leader and health equity advocate, Theodia B. Gillespie discuss health disparities in America, the history, the role of the government, challenges with reform, and how you can get involved to build healthy communities.
Please feel free to read Health Disparities and Determinants of Health brief along with Sylvie and Theodia.
About Theodia B. Gillespie
Theodia B. Gillespie has dedicated more than four decades to the mission of the Urban League. A native of Missouri and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, she began her career with the Quad County Urban League in 1984. Theodia became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Quad County Urban League in 1993 after serving as its Education Coordinator, Director of Education, Director of Employment and Program Director.
Combining a passion for serving clients through education and workforce development and a commitment to service leadership, Theodia has transformed Quad County Urban League into a thriving affiliate by improving operations and public perception and by developing collaborative community partnerships, which expanded the agency’s profile and provided wrap-around services in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties.
An outspoken advocate for equality, Theodia dedicates herself to a host of community and regional boards and organizations, and was recently appointed as Co-Chair of the Education and Workforce Development transition team for the newly elected mayor of Aurora.
A thought leader in education, employment, law enforcement and politics, Theodia has received several awards for her outstanding record of service. Innovative and forward-thinking, she continues to foster, develop and mentor in the areas of non-profit management, organizational development, and fund development to create a sustainable, economic and civil community model with global impact.
www.linkedin.com/in/theodia-gillespie-a15753a/
00:00 Getting to know Theodia Gillespie
16:05 Why this issue matters
22:40 Health Disparities in context
28:10 The role of the federal government
33:40 State and local government participation
37:55 The role of the private sector
41:25 Social determinants of health
46:10 Health Behaviors
52:40 Lack of trust in the healthcare system
58:55 Education and health literacy
1:06:10 Employment and income issues
1:12:25 Nutrition in the US
1:18:55 Community-based solutions and how we can get involved
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