Just Care in the Justice System: Educating Medical and Dental Trainees to Be Advocates for the Care of Incarcerated and Undocumented Patients

The purpose of this project is to develop a year-long educational curriculum and teach-in for medical and dental students at the Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons on the unique medical and psychosocial needs of detained, incarcerated and undocumented patients. Given the systemic nature that leads to the higher rate of incarceration amongst people of lower socioeconomic status and communities of color, advocacy on behalf of these vulnerable and historically silenced patient populations requires active participation from medical professionals involved in their care.

Although addressing structural racism in the access to education, health care, and economic opportunities are necessary to promote the long term well-being of these populations, creating a lasting dialogue around these issues is an imperative first step.

This project was funded through the Addressing Racism: A Call to Action for Higher Education initiative of the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement.