Inclusivity Minute
The Inclusivity Minute email project began in 2018 as a joint effort between the DCEG Fellows Committee and the Office of the Director to cultivate a culture of inclusion in the Division. Monthly Inclusivity Minute email messages are archived below; each addresses relevant topics and provides resources for learning more. Read more About the Inclusivity Minute Email Project.
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Imposter Syndrome: A Universal Struggle
The phrase Imposter Syndrome was coined in the 1970s to describe feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy often experienced by otherwise high-achieving individuals. While imposter syndrome is common and can occur across any age group, gender, profession, or racial demographic, individuals from minoritized groups may be more likely to experience it due to racism, social stigmas, and microaggressions. The author presents a variety of resources to use both when experiencing imposter syndrome oneself, or watching another person experience it.
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Environmental Justice
Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental health disparities exist when communities exposed to environmental hazards and social inequities experience an increased disease burden compared to wealthier, less polluted communities. Environmental racism refers to any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intended or unintended) individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color.
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Health Equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Populations
Despite a mandate from OMB, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals continue to be incorrectly lumped together with Asian individuals for data reporting and research in most national reports of cancer incidence, survival, and mortality. This masks underlying disparities in cancer rates for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, who generally have higher disease and mortality risks. The authors describe suggested actions to help achieve health equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals, along with additional resources and references.
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From Microaggressions to Triggers
The authors describe microaggressions and how they can trigger feelings of prior traumas in members of marginalized groups. Readers are invited to educate themselves as individuals and communities on how to avoid committing microaggressions and better engage with others in the workplace.
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Cultural Competency in the Workplace
Creating a diverse and inclusive work environment requires being culturally competent. Understanding that everyone has values that may differ—based on where they come from, cultural practices, and life experiences—enhances the work we do.
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Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx, Latine: Disentangling the identities of Hispanic/Latino Americans
From 2010 to 2020, Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e individuals accounted for 52 percent of the total population growth in the U.S.; studies in this group will be important to understand their unique potential health problems and disparities that may impact these communities. However, many current research studies aggregate Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e people into one group. Disaggregated data are imperative to fully understand the cancer burden and health disparities among these populations and to inform targeted cancer prevention and control efforts.
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What is Health Disparities Research?
Cancer health disparities are adverse differences between certain groups of people that include: a disproportionate number of new cases or deaths; access to screening; access to quality cancer care; stage at diagnosis; cancer risk factors; cancer-related health complications; survivorship; and quality of life. The authors list recommendations for health disparity researchers.
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Importance of Disaggregated Asian American Data
Asian Americans are vastly diverse in ethnicity, language, immigration patterns, cultural beliefs, English proficiency, health outcomes, and socioeconomic status. The authors discuss improving health research of this population by disaggregating ethnicity data by country of origin (e.g., Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Asian Indian, Filipino) and utilizing reference groups other than non-Hispanic White.
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Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity describes the variation in the human experience of the world, in school, at work, and through social relationships. Driven by both genetic and environmental factors, an estimated 15-20 percent of the world population exhibits some form of neurodivergence. Neurodiverse individuals possess unique strengths that can improve productivity, quality, innovation, and engagement when they are working in a neurodivergent-friendly environment.
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Beyond the Gender Binary
The gender binary describes the inaccurate concept that gender is categorized into only two distinct forms (i.e. man/woman). Many gender-expansive identities exist either between or outside of this binary, such as genderfluid, genderqueer, non-binary or agender. Various pronouns like the singular, third person "they" may be used to reflect gender neutrality.