The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg will welcome acclaimed journalist and author Linda Villarosa to speak on December 10 about the link between health and racism. She is a contributor to the New York Times Magazine and a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist, who will speak at the Foundation’s Center for Health Equity. As part of the Foundation’s popular Speakers Who Inspire series, Villarosa will share insights from her groundbreaking book, Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.
Speakers Who Inspire
This powerful event will explore the critical connection between health and systemic racism. Villarosa will shed light on how entrenched racial disparities in healthcare continue to harm Black Americans, causing them to “live sicker and die quicker” compared to white counterparts. Drawing from years of research and reporting, she will address a range of issues, including:
- Outdated medical assumptions about Black bodies
- Environmental racism and its impact on health
- Disparities in medical treatment and outcomes for Black patients
- The cumulative health effects of experiencing racism throughout a lifetime
“Linda Villarosa’s work shines a light on the critical intersection of health and racism, making clear the toll racism takes on people’s health and the health of our community,” said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Kanika Tomalin. “We’re so grateful to be able to host this learning opportunity and conversation for our community. We’re hopeful this dialogue can spark deeper engagement, conversation, and change for our community.”
Related: Center for Health Equity in St. Pete Reopens
Linda Villarosa has long been a leading voice in health journalism. Her work focuses on the intersection of health and race. Her talk will offer a unique opportunity to learn about the deep-rooted challenges that continue to affect public health and the lives of Black Americans.
Villarosa is a former executive editor of Essence magazine and a recipient of numerous prestigious awards from organizations including The American Medical Writers’ Association and The Arthur Ashe Institute. She brings a wealth of experience and perspective. Her book Under the Skin was named one of the best books of 2022 by six major publications.
This is an event not to be missed for anyone interested in the intersection of health, race, and social justice.
