Dr. David Satcher is a prominent physician, public health leader, and advocate for health equity. He served as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States and the Assistant Secretary for Health from 1998 to 2002. Dr. Satcher’s career has been dedicated to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare for all.
Born in Anniston, Alabama, Dr. Satcher overcame significant barriers to pursue his education, earning his M.D. and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. His early career included roles as a faculty member at the UCLA School of Medicine and the King-Drew Medical Center, where he focused on community health and preventive medicine.
As Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher released several influential reports, including the landmark “Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General,” which highlighted the disparities in mental health care for minority populations. He also spearheaded initiatives to address obesity, tobacco use, and sexual health, emphasizing the importance of preventive care and health education.
After his tenure as Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher founded the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, where he continues to work on eliminating health disparities through research, leadership development, and community engagement. His contributions to public health have been recognized with numerous awards, including election to the National Academy of Medicine.
Here are three videos that describe how David Satcher has addressed health disparities in his career:
“Former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher on Why #HealthEquityMatters.” This video features Dr. Satcher discussing the importance of health equity. (October 2018)
“Dr. David Satcher, Former US Surgeon General on Violence as a Health Issue.” This video includes Dr. Satcher discussing social determinants of health and violence as a health issue. (October 2016)
“Perspectives on Health Care Reform: Implications for Mental Health Disparities.” This article features Dr. Satcher discussing health care reform and its impact on mental health disparities. (October 2010)
