Dual Pandemics: Finding Pathways to Heal and Repair

In this video, Dr. Sharon S. Laing talks through how the two most pressing pandemics of 2020 — racism and COVID-19 — are connected. She talks through the social-determinants of health; shares her research into how technology may improve health outcomes for people in low-resourced communities; and offers her reflections on being both encouraged and exhausted by the road ahead; you will see why Dr. Laing’s students think so highly of her.

Presented to students on October 8, 2020.

Featuring Dr. Sharon S. Laing

Sharon S. Laing is assistant professor in UW Tacoma’s School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership.

Related reading

“The Mentor,” UW Tacoma feature about Dr. Laing and some of the students she’s mentored.

Works cited in Dr. Laing’s presentation

• Clark, R., Anderson, N.B., Clark, V.R., Williams, D.R. (1999). Racism as a stressor for African Americans: A biopsychosocial model. American Psychologist, 54(10), 805-816
• COVID-19 Tracker
• COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities in U.S Counties
• Laing, S.S., Alsayid, M., Ocampo, C., Baugh, S. (2018). Mobile health technology knowledge and practices among patients of safety-net health systems in Washington State and Washington, DC. Journal of Patient Centered Research and Reviews, 5, 204-17. doi:10.17294/2330-0698.1622.
• Mays, V.M., Cochran, S.D., Barnes, N.W. (2007). Race, race-based discrimination, and health outcomes among African Americans. Annual Review of Psychology,58,201-225.
• Millet, G.A., Jones, A.T., Benkeser, D., Baral, S., Mercer, L., Beyrer, C.,…Sullivan, P.S. (2020). Assessing differential impacts of COVID-19 on black communities. Annals of Epidemiology,47, 37-44.
• O’Brien, M., Fields, R, Jacksom, A. (2020). Anti-racism, race literacy: A primer and toolkit for medical education.