We all know health issues weigh us down


And when we think about health, we probably think about our individual health issues and wellbeing, or a disease we’ve had, or past surgery, or some other personal burden.

But in fact, much of what ails us is connected with the world around us. Where we live, our environment, our communities, our relationships—even our social status deeply affects our health and wellbeing, in many cases including our life expectancy.

Bad environments, poor relationships, marginalization, and poverty weigh down our health and shape our lives. Have you ever felt crippled by financial instability or poverty? Choked by polluted air or the garbage on your streets? Have you been effectively cut off from health services because of your race, class, or gender? Perhaps you have had to flee your home because of conflict or violence…

What can we do about these things? How can we collectively live healthier lives and alleviate some of these factors weighing on our health? Join us this October as we kick off Unburdened, DAI’s podcast about what it really takes to shape a healthier, more livable world.

Season 01 Episodes


Please listen to the episodes in order.

EPISODE #1

Can gender equality make us healthier?


Most of us agree that equality is a good thing, but is there more than a moral argument for making our societies more equal? Can gender equality actually make our communities and countries healthier?

EPISODE #2

Why aren’t men and women equal?


If there’s a gap between men and women, how do we know that empirically? How can we measure it? And what stands in the way of men and women being more equal?

EPISODE #3

Can female politicians make us healthier?


For a long time, women in politics wasn’t a thing. People like Merkel, Marin, May, Sirleaf, and Arden have given us a vision for women as decision makers. Will more female politicians in positions of power make our societies healthier?

EPISODE #4

Can better reproductive health make us more equal?


How society treats a woman during pregnancy and childbirth is a signal of women’s status in society. Do we value maternal health as integral to the health of our communities?

EPISODE #5

Where do we go from here?


What’s next and where do we go from here? As development practitioners and public health professionals, how do we make our work more gender equal?