“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 policies that eliminate health and health care inequities. Today we’re featuring Jamela M. Martin, PhD, RN, associate professor and department chair of nursing and allied health at Norfolk State University, and AAMC CHARGE virtual community ambassador. Connect with Jamela in the AAMC virtual community.
What sparked your interest in health equity work?
When I was growing up, my father was very involved in health equity initiatives, and his passion was ingrained in me at a young age. From my first global health trip — helping Congolese mothers and infants obtain health care, and working with NGOs to improve health opportunities in the region — and through my work in the Caribbean with mothers and infants, my passion for helping those who need it most has grown. There are many similarities in the patterns of inequities and disparities around the world and at home. As a medical professional and member of a historically excluded population, it is my calling to spark conversations, forge connections, and help create change.
Why does health equity matter? Why should health equity matter to others?
Health is wealth. Breaking down barriers to good health for all can improve population health, which will have a tremendous impact on our education system, economy, tourism, and social-emotional stability, among many other benefits.
What health equity or social justice issue do you think deserves more attention than it gets right now?
I believe all health equity and social justice issues are equally pressing, though some are finally receiving the attention needed to create change, while other issues are still in the shadows. What I believe is more pressing, however, is the way we approach health equity and health disparities. For far too long, health disparities have been viewed as a result of individual behavior rather than through the social-ecological model. Society has blamed health disparities on personal and individual contributors such as poor health, low socioeconomic status, and health illiteracy. Yet health, economic, educational, and social policies have a tremendous impact on the health of our nation, with trickle-down effects more far-reaching than any individual's lack of health literacy. We must begin to tackle the inequalities from the societal level in order to see real progress toward health equity.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
My first-ever concert was Whitney Houston, with my mom when I was about 15 years old. The night was so special, and she is still one of my favorite artists of all time.
You can meet other health equity champions like Jamela in the AAMC CHARGE virtual community. Interested in nominating yourself or a colleague for a future “Who’s in CHARGE?” member spotlight?