What is intersectionality and why is it important?

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Saroo Sharda, Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion, elucidates the concept of intersectionality, a framework for understanding the complex, overlapping patterns of discrimination that arise from multiple intersecting identities. Highlighting its significance in healthcare, Dr. Sharda emphasizes the necessity of an intersectional lens to prevent inadvertently perpetuating inequities in clinical settings, research, and education. Real-world examples, such as disparities in healthcare outcomes for racialized individuals and the impact of COVID-19 on diverse communities, underscore the importance of culturally safe and humble interventions.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Saroo Sharda is the associate dean of Equity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• 🔍 Intersectionality is a concept introduced by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw.
• 🧩 Intersectionality examines how multiple identities (e.g., race, gender, disability) overlap and produce complex discrimination patterns.
• 👩🏽‍🦽 A person’s various identities, such as being a woman and racialized, cannot be separated when considering discrimination.
• 📊 Not using an intersectional lens in healthcare can perpetuate inequities towards different groups.
• 🏥 Intersectionality should be considered in clinical settings, research, and education to address health outcomes effectively.
• 👶 When examining healthcare outcomes, such as in childbirth, intersectionality reveals disparities among different racial and ethnic groups.
• 🌍 COVID-19 data during the pandemic showed higher infection and mortality rates in ethnoculturally diverse areas, highlighting intersectional impacts.
• 🔑 Social determinants of health, including racism, are crucial root causes affecting health outcomes.
• 🤝 Healthcare interventions must be data-driven, culturally safe, and incorporate cultural humility to address intersectional issues effectively.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Saroo Sharda?

Dr. Saroo Sharda is the Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion at the Faculty of Health Sciences.

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a theory or framework that helps understand how different identities (such as race, gender, and disability) intersect and produce overlapping patterns of discrimination.

Who coined the term 'intersectionality'?

The term 'intersectionality' was first coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw.

Why is it important to use an intersectional lens when addressing injustices?

Without an intersectional lens, efforts to address injustices towards one group might inadvertently perpetuate inequities towards another group.

Can you give an example of how intersectional identities might intersect?

If a woman is also racialized, or if a person identifies as queer and also has a disability, these identities cannot be separated and they intersect to produce unique experiences of discrimination.

How does intersectionality impact healthcare outcomes?

Intersectionality impacts healthcare outcomes by revealing disparities within groups. For instance, Indigenous, Black, and racialized people giving birth may have different healthcare outcomes compared to the general population.

What did the COVID-19 data reveal about ethno-culturally diverse areas?

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people living in more ethno-culturally diverse areas were three times more likely to contract COVID-19 and two to four times more likely to end up in the ICU or die from the virus.

What are the social determinants of health, and how is racism a key factor?

Social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Racism is a key social determinant that influences health outcomes by creating disparities and inequities.

Why is it important to consider intersectionality in clinical settings, research, and education?

Considering intersectionality is crucial in these areas to ensure that interventions are effective, culturally safe, and address the specific needs of diverse populations, thus avoiding the perpetuation of inequities.

How can healthcare interventions be made more effective for diverse populations?

Healthcare interventions can be more effective by being based on comprehensive data, incorporating cultural safety, and fostering cultural humility.