Partners in Health, a Nonprofit Corporation
04/14/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2025 14:09
PIHers' Picks: What PIH Advocacy Recommends to Read and Watch
For decades, Partners In Health (PIH) has been guided by the principle that health care should be a human right for all-an unfortunately radical belief even today. PIH staff, colleagues, Engagers, and supporters have become advocates for people around the world as they fought for accessible, equitable health care, particularly in settings of poverty.
We reached out to some of those advocates for content recommendations for the PIH community to learn more about the intersection of health and social justice. Without further ado, here are a few of their suggestions:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Recommended by Dan Nguyen, PIH Engage
"The book follows the history of Henrietta Lacks, whose cervical cancer cells were unethically taken at Johns Hopkins Hospital without her consent to eventually develop the first immortalized human cell line, commonly known as HeLa in the research field. Even though I read this long ago in my high school English class, the lessons I learned from the novel continue to fuel my passion for health justice, community engagement, and medical research. Throughout the novel, it is clear that Skloot is an advocate for Lacks and her family, who had not received compensation or recognition at the time for the cells that scientists wrongfully stole. Likewise, I continue to advocate for global health equity through my work with PIH, formerly as a clinical quality and health systems strengthening intern and now as an activist with PIH Engage."
The Water Defenders: How Ordinary People Saved a Country from Corporate Greed by Robin Broad and John Cavanagh
Recommended by Rosie Poling, PIH Policy Officer, Health Equity Workforce Project
"At the intersection of climate and health, this story is a moving example of the power everyday people can have against large, seemingly untouchable corporate powers. It is filled with essential lessons on organizing a community towards a common goal and why we should continue to be radically optimistic in a world shaped for profits over people."
Kurzgesagt YouTube Channel
Recommended by Nicole Merino, Washington State University PIH Engage President
"It's what I typically recommend my team, family, and colleagues to watch. I'm a Pre-Health Microbiology Major, and I love science. A YouTube channel I adore is called Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell. Kurzgesagt is a lovely scientific channel that makes philosophical and political videos as well. It's a very neutral channel in terms of politics, which is what I love the most. They depend on facts, science, and data.
Some videos I recommend are one with info on tuberculosis and one with info on the "Social Bubble" and how we categorize people into groups. It explains that if, maybe, we were a bit more open and understanding, we would not judge based on groups but on individuality. Half of my club is left-leaning, and the other half is right-leaning, but they all still want global health."
The Divide: A Brief Guide To Global Inequality and its Solutions by Jason Hickel
Recommended by Chloe Dahleen, PIH Economic Justice Advocacy Specialist
"This book is required reading for anyone seeking to understand how global health inequities have come to be, and the role Western powers have played in creating those inequities. As the divide between the world's wealthiest and poorest continues to grow, we must take a critical look at why and how, and consider what solutions will truly lead to meaningful change."
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