Patrick Vernon

A Dialogue of Equals Podcast: Ep. 1 – Open Wounds: Black Communities & Health Inequalities in the UK

The premiere episode of A Dialogue of Equals sets the tone for an urgent and necessary conversation: “Open Wounds: Black Communities & Health Inequalities in the UK.”

Across one powerful hour, the episode explores the deep-rooted disparities that Black communities continue to face when it comes to healthcare access, outcomes, and trust in the NHS. At the heart of the dialogue are two influential voices:

• Patrick Vernon OBE: social commentator, campaigner, and cultural historian, known for his tireless work on issues of race, culture, and health in the UK.

• Professor Habib Naqvi: Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, whose leadership has been pivotal in addressing racial inequalities across the NHS.

  

  Together, they shine a light on how discrimination, mistrust, and invisibility shape Black people’s experiences within healthcare systems. These issues aren’t just statistics; they are lived realities that continue to affect Black communities, particularly Black men, across generations.

  Hosted by Haringey’s Black Men’s Health Group, the discussion doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. It challenges listeners to confront how structural barriers and historic injustices have left open wounds that demand healing—not through token gestures, but through meaningful systemic change.

  About the Podcast: The ADOE Community Podcast is a platform dedicated to informing action, examining evidence, challenging systems, and amplifying voices that are too often silenced. Each episode dives into urgent social and political issues affecting health in Black communities, with a particular focus on the experiences and concerns of Black men.

  Through engaging interviews and powerful storytelling, the podcast advocates for stronger relationships between communities and the NHS, highlights ways to reduce harm, and champions the fight for health rights. It is both informative and transformative, offering listeners a space where dialogue leads to action.

  This important series is the result of a collaboration between Tottenham Rights, Haringey’s Black Men’s Health Group, NELLO, Studio Wood Green Media, and Dr. Sara Paparini of Queen Mary University of London.
  
  Click here to listen to the episode!