Minor in Health Equity

About the Program

Health disparities persist in the United States, with significant differences in health outcomes experienced across diverse populations. Addressing these inequities requires a multi-faceted approach that combines deep understanding of the social determinants of health, a commitment to health equity principles, and engagement with communities facing these challenges.

The Health Equity undergraduate minor at Rutgers-New Brunswick is part of President Jonathan Holloway’s Housing and Health Equity cluster hire initiative. It offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum, drawing upon the strengths of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, School of Social Work, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and Graduate School of Education to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of health equity and its underlying social, economic, and environmental determinants, with specializations in topics such as Housing, Food Justice, and Education.

Students will engage in the critical analysis of current policies and research, develop culturally competent practices, and gain hands-on experience through applied learning opportunities. Graduates of the minor will be well-equipped to advocate for and implement impactful solutions that advance health equity within diverse communities.

The Health Equity minor is distinct from the Health and Society minor in the Department of Sociology and focuses on applying content specific to the areas of housing, food insecurity, and education. This minor may be of interest to SAS students majoring in Sociology, who are not eligible for the Health and Society minor, as well as students interested in policies to address health inequities.

Program Goals

The Health Equity minor goals include:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical, social, and economic factors contributing to health disparities among diverse populations.
• Develop the ability to critically analyze health data, policies, and interventions through an equity lens.
• Equip students with the skills and knowledge to advocate for and implement solutions that promote health equity and improve community health outcomes.
• Foster a commitment to social justice and empower students to become effective champions for health equity within their communities.

Learning Goals

By completing the minor in Health Equity, students will be able to:

Knowledge:

• Identify and explain key health equity, community health, and health disparities concepts.
• Analyze the impact of social determinants of health on specific populations and communities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different policies and interventions aimed at reducing health disparities.
• Understand the importance of cultural competency and inclusive practices in promoting health equity.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current research and best practices in addressing health disparities.

Skills:

• Conduct research and analyze data related to health disparities.
• Effectively communicate about health equity issues to diverse audiences.
• Advocate for policies and interventions that promote health equity and community health.
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders from different sectors (e.g., government, healthcare, community organizations).
• Develop and implement culturally appropriate community interventions to address health disparities.
• Utilize digital tools and technology to promote health equity efforts.

Attitudes and Values:

• Demonstrate a commitment to social justice and health equity.
• Cultivate empathy and respect for diverse communities and perspectives.
• Develop critical consciousness and understanding of how power and privilege affect health outcomes.
• Practice ethical conduct in all endeavors related to health equity and community health.
• Embrace lifelong learning and continuous improvement in promoting health equity.

Courses

Required Courses (12 credits)

Required Courses (6 credits, choose two)

• 11:374:424 Segregation and Health (PDF) (3 credits) or 10:832:212 Health Disparities (PDF)
• 01:920:115 The Color of Health: How Does Inequality Get Under the Skin? or 01:920:335 Health and Inequality (3)

Two Courses from Chosen Track (6 credits)

Health Equity: Food Justice

• 11:020:333: Community Food Justice and Advocacy (PDF) (3 credits)
• 11:374:289 Sustainable Food: Politics, Policy, and Ethics (PDF) (3)
• 11:020:337 Sustainability: Tackling Food Waste
• 11:400:315 (01:959:409) - Food and Sustainability – Thailand Study Abroad (PDF)
• 11:400:316 (01:959:409) Sustainable Food Production- Ireland Study Abroad (PDF)
• 11:193:255 Integrated Nutrition, Health, Environment, and Agricultural Systems (PDF)

Health Equity: Housing Equity

• 10:762:310 US Housing Policy
• 910:240 Housing Inequality & Homelessness
• 10:762:307 Community Development

Health Equity: Education

• 10:833:325 Education Policy and Social Justice
• 10:833:365 Higher Education Policy
• 05:300:406 Community-Based Language Learning (PDF)
• 05:300:464 Race & Ethnicity in American Schools (PDF)
• 05::300:465 Sexuality, Gender, and the Politics of US Public Schooling (PDF)
• 05:300:401 Individual and Cultural Diversity (PDF)

Two Electives from Affiliated Departments (6 credits)

The remaining 6 credits required for the minor can be selected from the following elective courses.

School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

• 11:374:141 Health and Society
• 11:374:225 Health and Society in Mass Media (PDF)
• 11:709:245 Food Customs & Nutrition Equity (PDF)
• 11:374:289 Sustainable Food: Politics, Policy, and Ethics
• 11:020:333: Community Food Justice and Advocacy
• 11:373:371 Food, Nutrition, and Health
• 11:374:437 Culture & Health (PDF)
• 11:374:438 Health in The Latino Community
• 11:193:200 Food Systems & Policy
• 11:020:337 Sustainability: Tackling Food Waste (PDF)
• 11:709:255 Nutrition and Health (PDF)
• 11:400:315 (01:959:409) - Food and Sustainability – Thailand Study Abroad
• 11:400:316 (01:959:409) Sustainable Food Production- Ireland Study Abroad (PDF)
• 11:193:255 Integrated Nutrition, Health, Environment, and Agricultural Systems

Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

• Urban Studies
• 10:762:233 Urban World
• 10:971:202 Designing Healthy Cities

Public Health

• 10:775:101 Introduction to Planning, Policy, and Health
• 10:762:307 Community Development
• 10:832:212 Health Disparities
• 10:832:235 Urban Health
• 10:832:337 Population Health and Urbanization
• 10:832:252 Health and Social Justice
• 10:832:253 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Public Health
• 10:832:350 Drugs, Culture, and Society
• 10:832:352 Community Health Promotion
• 10:832:413 Advanced Topics in Health Disparities
• 10:832:416 Mental Health and Society

Public Policy

• 10:833:210 Principles of Public Policy
• 10:833:331 US Social Policy
• 10:833:338 Health and Public Policy
• 10:833:353 Disability Policy and Law
• 10:833:417 Impacted Folks Leading Policy Change
• 10:833:310 US Housing Policy
• 10:833:363 LGBTQIA+ Policy
• 10:833:364 Children, Law, and Public Policy

School of Social Work

• 910:352 The Effects of Oppression on Minoritized Groups (PDF)
• 910:476 Child Welfare Services & Practices (PDF)
• 09:910:492, 50:910:450 Global Social Work & Social Development (PDF)
• 910:222 Confronting Anti-Black Racism (PDF)
• 910:223 Aging & Society (PDF)
• 09:910:226, 50:910:299 Childhood Inequalities
• 910:228 Understanding Violence: Causes, Consequences & Social Justice Change (PDF)
• 910:240 Housing Inequality & Homelessness (PDF)

Graduate School of Education

• 05:300:406 Community-Based Language Learning (PDF)
• 05:300:464 Race & Ethnicity in American Schools
• 05:300:465 Sexuality, Gender, and the Politics of US Public Schooling
• 05:300:401 Individual and Cultural Diversity

SAS – Department of Sociology

• 01:920:210 Soc of Medicine and Health Care

SAS – Department of Department of Africana Studies

• 01:014:347 Health Issues in the African-American Community

SAS – Department of Kinesiology and Health

• 01:377:252 Health and Wellness in Underserved Populations (PDF)

SAS – Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

• 01:988:408 Gender, Economic Inequality & Health
• 01:988:409 Gender, Environmental Justice & Health
• 01:988:412 Global Food Politics: Health Consequences