March 22nd: Charity Oga-Omenka
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Dr. Charity Oga-Omenka’s research contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between health and the social determinants of health, particularly as it relates to pathways to and access to healthcare. Access to healthcare for many individuals, particularly those in resource-limited settings or marginalized groups, has historically been plagued by disparities due to the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals and is one of the major challenges facing health systems in developing countries. Barriers and facilitators to accessing public and private healthcare has been the primary focus of most of my research endeavours to date. HIV and Tuberculosis healthcare access research brings together many aspects of global public health issues including the relationship between health outcomes and the social determinants of health, impacts of political trends and government will, global health priorities, and roles of donor agencies. With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is evidence that disparities in healthcare access are widening. Dr. Oga-Omenk is also interested in researching best practices for healthcare delivery recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Centering the Individual in Understanding Access to Care
Examples from TB Research
This lecture delves into the intersection of social justice, gender, and healthcare accessibility, with a specific focus on Tuberculosis (TB) research. It will explore how individual experiences are shaped by broader societal structures, impacting access to care. Using examples from TB research, the lecture will critically examine the gendered dimensions of healthcare disparities. By centering the individual within this discourse, Dr. Oga-Omenka aims to illuminate the complex web of factors influencing healthcare access and patients’ journeys to care, including socio-demographic characteristics, cultural norms, healthcare factors, and systemic inequalities. Dr Oga-Omenka will present some insights from research on how individual identities intersect with social justice issues in the context of TB, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by individuals seeking care, ultimately contributing to the ongoing dialogue on equitable access to care for all individuals.