Human dignity: a framework to understand and respond to COVID’s disproportionate effect on vulnerable populations

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased emphasis on recognizing and dismantling systemic racism provided an opportunity to use the human dignity framework for a small-group workshop during the 2020 and 2021 UNM School of Medicine orientation. The objective was to see if this framework effectively taught students about Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and caring for vulnerable populations, locally and globally. Methods: In a small-group setting, we introduced the concept of human dignity and then applied this through two case studies. We surveyed students following the session. Results: Post-session evaluations reflect increased students’ self-reported understanding of social determinants, exposure disparities that may affect one’s risk of contracting COVID-19, and their confidence that students and clinicians can significantly impact addressing SDOH for vulnerable populations. The course was also influential in helping students feel comfortable with their peers and served as a welcome to the medical school. Discussion: The human dignity framework effectively taught students about the social determinants of health and caring for vulnerable populations. This moved us away from politicized realms and into a constructive learning environment useful for medical education and global health education far beyond the pandemic.