The Health Disparities Podcast

Designing 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.

The 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.

Health 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.

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.

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.