COVID-19 Conversations: Dr. Danny Avula on How Social Determinants of Health Shape Our Understanding of the Pandemic

The Riley Institute’s Center for Critical Issues “brings the world to Furman University” by hosting a diverse roster of speakers on campus each year. While our events are on hold due to COVID-19, The Riley Institute’s Advance Team students are (virtually) bringing notable past speakers into their own homes for thoughtful conversations about the coronavirus’s impact on many facets of life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a tall order for public health leaders across the country: When collective action is required to slow the spread of a virus with a high transmission rate, how do you convince everyone to heed safety guidelines?

As the director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Departments in Virginia, Danny Avula, M.D. has dedicated his work to understanding why certain communities are harder hit by COVID-19 than others. He sat down with students Ingrid Ramos ’21, Noah Steyer ’22, and Cassidi Dozier ’22 for a video call on June 3 to shed light on the social determinants of health that not only play a role in disease outcomes but also influence how different communities respond to the pandemic.

In 2014, Avula served as panelist for the Riley Institute’s StraightTalk lecture series on poverty and the working poor held on Furman University’s campus.

View all COVID-19 Conversations episodes

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this recording are those of the individuals appearing in the video and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Riley Institute or Furman University.