Health Inequalities and Intersectionality 101

For module start dates, view the 2023-24 Module Calendar (.docx)

Unfair systematic differences in health status and experiences of different population groups have become a core focus of population health research, and of growing interest to policy makers, health practitioners, and advocates of social justice worldwide. Policy makers are confronted with the challenge of addressing complex health needs of an increasingly diverse population amid multiple crisis (of health, economy, society, environment) making the promises of "health for all" and "leaving no one behind" an unattainable aspiration.

As practitioners and advocates contend with the slow progress on closing the gap on gender and other inequalities, 'intersectionality' is gaining popularity for offering a radical new approach to advance equality and social justice. While it has become a buzzword in health and development sectors, the concept is not without its critiques and there is little systematic training on how to address the challenges of operationalising it.

This innovative, first of its kind course addresses some of these gaps. It examines the theories underlying unfair and avoidable differences in the distribution of social determinants of health, and offers a critical understanding of the theory, research, and public policy applications of intersectionality.

Learning outcomes

 The course is unique in bringing together the perspectives from diverse sectors (in UK and internationally) on Intersectionality to the classroom, combining masterclasses, lectures and case work to explore policy interventions and civil society actions to reducing health inequalities, nationally and globally.

•  Understanding Health Inequalities and Reviewing classical & contemporary theories to understand unfair differences in health experiences and outcomes.

•  Introducing Intersectionality – potential & critiques – Introducing intersectionality as a set of theoretical positions and analytical framework to examine and address health disparities, its key principles and delineations.

• Methodological Applications: introducing participants to the breadth of qualitative (conventional as well as participatory, action-oriented) and quantitative methods (including contribution of Social Epidemiology) available to understand the interaction between social factors/ divisions that constitute inequalities in health outcomes.

• Intersectionality in Practice & Advocacy: exploring how intersectionality has informed policy and practice in equality and social justice focused organisations, in the UK and internationally and examining good practices as well as challenges to adoption of intersectionality.

• Intersectionality & Public Policy: engaging with the IPBA framework for informing policies and the dilemmas of adopting intersectionality in policy. Poster presentations on policy solutions on case studies.

Our expert staff

This module is lead by Dr Anuj Kapilashrami, Professor in Global Health Policy and Equity, and Director of Global Engagement & Partnerships in the School of Health & Social Care. Her work lies at the intersections of health policy and development praxis, with particular interest in the social and structural determinants of health, and the rights and equity implications of global public health policy and governance.

CPD students would need to discuss the appropriate level of enrolment required depending on previous study/experience.

Module Outline

The module is delivered over 5 days, with additional days for the assessment – please see 2023-24 Module Calendar (.docx) module calendar for dates.

This is an optional module for students on the MSc Leadership in Health and Care programme. For entry requirements/criteria, please note to contact cpd@essex.ac.uk

Assessment strategy

Presentation (40.00%);

Policy brief (60.00%)

Our CPD Funding page has more information on fees for our modules and potential funding sources. Home/ UK and International fee: £1000

We have guidance on making your application and the forms to download on our how to apply page. The application process for this module is to be confirmed.