Who’s in CHARGE? spotlights a member of the AAMC Collaborative for Health equity: Act, Research, Generate Evidence (CHARGE), a forum for investigators, clinicians, and community partners who design and implement research and policy that eliminate health and health care inequities. Today we’re featuring Chandra Char, PhD, MPH, health equity fellow at Georgetown University and AAMC CHARGE virtual community ambassador. Connect with Chandra in the AAMC virtual community.
What sparked your interest in health equity or health disparities work?
My personal background and community have played a large role in sparking my interest in health equity. My friends and family have shared with me stories of injustice they have experienced related to ableism and racism. I want to use my privilege and opportunity to amplify voices of marginalized communities, to share their experience with the medical community.
Why does health equity matter?
Health equity benefits everyone. We need to acknowledge that everyone doesn’t have the same resources, opportunities, and privileges, and how these inequities can impact people’s health. I’m always interested in meeting with other health equity scholars.
What health equity or social justice issue do you think deserves more attention than it gets right now?
Intersectionality. I think the term is used casually, but there is so much depth and complexity to incorporating intersectionality in a meaningful way. We don’t yet have enough continuity in methodology and analysis to be able to analyze intersectional data in a standardized way in scientific research.
Do you have any health equity heroes?
I admire any advocate, leader, and social justice warrior who has come before me and paved the way for me to do the work I’m doing today.
What’s the first concert you ever went to?
My first concert was Elton John, when I was 8 years old. My parents bought “best available” tickets. When we arrived to the concert venue, we discovered we had second-row seats. I was seated next to the drummer’s wife. She talked to the band at intermission, and the band members gave me guitar picks and drumsticks. One of the coolest concert experiences ever!
You can meet other health equity champions like Chandra in the AAMC CHARGE virtual community. Interested in nominating yourself or a colleague for a Who’s in CHARGE? member spotlight?