Vaccine hesitancy is a big issue in Africa, where many people are reluctant to get vaccinated due to misinformation, distrust of healthcare systems, and difficulty accessing vaccines. These challenges don’t just slow down efforts to fight diseases—they also make health disparities worse. Solving this problem takes more than just science; it requires understanding the history, culture, and needs of the communities affected.
Two summers ago, I attended a program at Duke University where I researched vaccine hesitancy in Africa. I learned about how colonial history has caused lasting mistrust in medical institutions and how social media spreads misinformation. I also discovered creative solutions being used, like training community leaders to educate others about vaccines and bringing mobile clinics to rural areas so more people can access healthcare.
This experience opened my eyes to how complex public health problems are and how important it is to approach them with empathy and an open mind. It was exciting to connect research with real-world issues and think about ways to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for everyone.
-Iverson
Equity Over Equality: A Public Health Blog 
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