UC Davis Library Launches Resource to Deepen Understanding of Health Equity and Justice
The UC Davis Library is excited to announce a new resource designed to support this year’s UC Davis Campus Book Project selection, Weathering: The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society by Arline Geronimus. This curated bibliography offers additional reading materials to expand on the book’s themes, providing a deeper dive into the ways systemic inequities in race, gender, and socioeconomic status impact health outcomes.
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The UC Davis Library resource highlights the interplay of social determinants of health and justice, encouraging students, faculty, staff and community members to explore the critical issues raised in Geronimus’ groundbreaking work. The bibliography was thoughtfully compiled by UC Davis Library staff member Matthew Conner, who is the arts, humanities, and social sciences librarian in the student services department at the UC Davis Library. To create the bibliography, Conner worked closely with members of the Campus Community Book Project program planning committee to ensure the resource aligns with the university’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue and advancing equity.
Organized Themes for Focused Exploration
The materials are grouped into key thematic areas to help readers navigate the complex interplay of factors influencing health outcomes:
- Race and Health Inequities: This section examines the profound effects of systemic racism on the physical and mental health of communities of color. It includes research and narratives that highlight the structural barriers to equitable healthcare access and the toll of chronic discrimination.
- Gender and Health: Exploring how gender bias and societal expectations shape health outcomes, this section addresses issues like maternal health disparities, the unique health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, and the consequences of gender-based violence.
- Poverty and Wellness: Investigating the health impacts of economic instability, environmental stressors, and limited access to resources, this section underscores the intersection of poverty with other social determinants of health.
Supporting Dynamic Discussions
By curating this resource, the UC Davis Library seeks to enrich the conversations inspired by the Campus Book Project and is in line with the principles of UC Davis Dynamic Discussions, which seeks to foster respectful dialogue at the university.
“We hope this resource serves as a springboard for people explore topics they are curious about, deepen their understanding and engage in informed conversations with others,” Conner said. “The themes in Weathering are deeply resonant, and this bibliography offers another pathway for further learning and engagement.”
The Campus Book Project, now in its 23rd year, is focused on supporting university-wide conversations on critical societal issues through shared reading. This year’s focus on Weathering highlights the physical and mental health tolls of persistent social inequities, sparking discussions that aim to inspire collective reflection and meaningful change.
Visit the UC Davis Library’s Health Equity and Justice page
Learn more about upcoming Campus Community Book Project events