This is an open access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. It is free to read at Oxford Scholarship Online and offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations. Necessary Conversations: Understanding Racism as a Barrier to Achieving Health Equity reflects the conviction that a true prioritization of health in our communities is impossible without a commitment to racial equity. Drawing on the pivotal social events of 2020 in America, it extends a powerful call to action based on a growing body of evidence that racism is the underlying cause of so many poor health outcomes. Contributors across health, education, law, and media further the longstanding work of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to create a "Culture of Health" by engaging in authentic discussions about the systems and structures that harm people of color and offering provocative ideas and strategies to inspire action. Necessary Conversations ultimately highlights the importance of building leadership and partnerships through those who are most affected in the community. It considers what it would take to overhaul institutions that treat people differently on the basis of race and recognizes that we all must share resources and join together to support the advancement of health and racial equity.

About the Author
Alonzo L. Plough, PhD, MPH, MA, is Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Research-Evaluation-Learning at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Plough has had a distinguished career in public health practice, academia, and philanthropy. His work focuses on improving health and well-being, and achieving health equity. Plough serves as a board member for many health and social welfare organizations.

Reviews
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's 2020 Sharing Knowledge convention in Jackson, MS, called for a sea change in health equity work. This vital book preserves the spirit of that powerful convening. It richly illuminates the social injustices diverse communities face and points the way forward for addressing the health implications of structural racism. * Chandra Ford, Founding Director, Center for the Study of Racism, Social Justice and Health, UCLA *
Necessary Conversations enriches the field of health equity through a backdrop of the historical underpinnings of racism and commentary on the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and heightened national awareness of racism. This is a must-read for scholars in the field and sure to become essential reading. * Margarita Alegria, Chief, Disparities Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital *
In this book, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has taken the bold step of putting their weight behind the need to explicitly address racism as an original and enduring sin of U.S. society that has dramatic, destructive effects on health. Stories of what it means to be born, categorically, as a person who must constantly fight racism or other forms of marginalization come to life, but the predominant message is one of possibility and hope for a future in which all people can be and are valued equally. * Shiriki Kumanyika, Founding Chair, Council on Black Health *
This book is an essential addition to the growing list of books that bring scientific analysis to the study of racism across many different sectors of society. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has compiled an impressive slate of scholars who address the highly complex nature of racism and how it degrades human dignity and the length and quality of life. This book is essential reading for anyone working in the health sciences or social services or anyone who seeks to understand how and why the color of someone's skin can determine their health. * Thomas LaVeist, Dean, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780197641477
Author Alonzo L. Plough
Format Paperback
Page Count 264
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 390g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 152mm * 15mm