Healing Politics: A Doctor's Journey into the Heart of Our Political Epidemic

by Abdul El-Sayed, Ady Barkan (Foreword by)

Overview

A memoir about restoring the health of our people, and our democracy, from a physician and “one of the brightest young stars” of the progressive movement (Sen. Bernie Sanders).

A child of immigrants, Abdul El-Sayed grew up feeling a responsibility to help others. He threw himself into the study of medicine and excelled—winning a Rhodes Scholarship, earning two advanced degrees, and landing a tenure-track position at Columbia University. At thirty, he became the youngest city health official in America, tasked with rebuilding Detroit’s health department after years of austerity policies. 

But El-Sayed found himself disillusioned. He could heal the sick—even build healthier, safer communities—but that wouldn’t address the social and economic conditions causing illness in the first place. So he left health for politics, running for Governor of Michigan and earning the support of progressive champions like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.

This memoir traces the life of a young idealist, weaving together powerful personal stories and fascinating forays into history and science. Marrying his unique perspective with the science of epidemiology, El-Sayed diagnoses an underlying epidemic afflicting our country, an epidemic of insecurity. And to heal the rifts this epidemic has created, he lays out a new direction for the progressive movement. This is a bold, personal, and compellingly original book from a prominent young leader.

“In Healing Politics, Abdul El-Sayed doesn’t just diagnose the causes of our broken politics; he gives us a prescription and treatment plan.” —Representative Pramila Jayapal

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683358138
Publisher:	ABRAMS, Inc. (Ignition)
Publication date:	03/31/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is a physician, epidemiologist, public health expert, and progressive activist. He was appointed health director of Detroit at 30 years old. He’s a former professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. He holds a doctorate in public health from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and a medical degree from Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Foreword Ady Barkan xi

Prologue 1

Part I Practicum

Chapter 1 Home Away from Home 11

Chapter 2 An Imperfect Science 18

Chapter 3 Matched-Pair 25

Chapter 4 Privilege 39

Chapter 5 Complex Causes 48

Chapter 6 Ideals and Institutions 56

Chapter 7 Not That Kind of Doctor 69

Chapter 8 Contagion and Miasma 78

Chapter 9 Home Again 83

Chapter 10 Doctoring Detroit 97

Chapter 11 Running for Our Lives 112

Part II America's Insecurity Epidemic

Chapter 12 The Syndrome 129

Chapter 13 Insecure Health 141

Chapter 14 Insecure Households 150

Chapter 15 Insecure Communities 166

Chapter 16 Insecure Places 175

Chapter 17 Insecure Economy 188

Chapter 18 Insecure Politics 196

Chapter 19 The Spread of Insecurity 216

Part III Healing Politics

Chapter 20 Toward a Politics of Empathy 229

Chapter 21 Them and Us 234

Chapter 22 Empathy Policy 248

Chapter 23 Thirteen Ideas to Heal Our Insecurity 256

Epilogue: Empathy for Our Future 290

Notes 293

Acknowledgments 327

Index 331

Editorial Reviews

This book is a majestic act of hope grounded in a life of great empathy and courage! From first-rate medical doctor to loving husband, father and politician, Abdul El-Sayed takes us in a breathtaking journey that uplifts our spirits in these grim days!

Harvard University - Professor Cornel West

As a doctor who helped lead Detroit’s health department Abdul knows full well the problems with America's healthcare system and is working to solve them by advocating for a Medicare for All system. Abdul is one of the brightest young stars in the future of the progressive movement.

Sen. Bernie Sanders

"This is a very important book. Abdul El-Sayed diagnoses the true epidemic of our moment: the scourge of insecurity, as we face a heartless economy and a faltering climate system. And he provides the prescription: a dose of empathy measured out in legislation and political action. It's a manual for real, deep, and utterly necessary change."

350.org - Bill McKibben

Abdul El-Sayed is an inspired leader with a failsafe moral compass. Achingly felt and carefully reasoned, this book explains the forces that are shattering our communities—and the politics of empathy that can repair our relationships and transform society.”

author of On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal - Naomi Klein

Abdul is one of our most gifted communicators and fiercest advocates for the ideal of health care as a fundamental human right. In Healing Politics, he draws on his invaluable blend of experience as a doctor, public health commissioner, and political leader to bring a sorely needed sense of empathy and humanity to the debate over how to mend our fractured society.

Pod Save America - Jon Favreau

In Healing Politics, Abdul El-Sayed doesn't just diagnose the causes of our broken politics; he gives us a prescription and treatment plan. Abdul's passion, empathy, and, most important, personal insight—drawn from his experience as an epidemiologist, advocate, and movement leader—will educate and inspire every reader.

Representative Pramila Jayapal

As a doctor who helped lead Detroit’s health department Abdul knows full well the problems with America's healthcare system and is working to solve them by advocating for a Medicare for All system. Abdul is one of the brightest young stars in the future of the progressive movement.”—Sen. Bernie Sanders

“Abdul is one of our most gifted communicators and fiercest advocates for the ideal of health care as a fundamental human right. In Healing Politics, he draws on his invaluable blend of experience as a doctor, public health commissioner, and political leader to bring a sorely needed sense of empathy and humanity to the debate over how to mend our fractured society.”—Jon Favreau, Pod Save America

“This book is a majestic act of hope grounded in a life of great empathy and courage! From first-rate medical doctor to loving husband, father and politician, Abdul El-Sayed takes us in a breathtaking journey that uplifts our spirits in these grim days!”—Professor Cornel West, Harvard University

"This is a very important book. Abdul El-Sayed diagnoses the true epidemic of our moment: the scourge of insecurity, as we face a heartless economy and a faltering climate system. And he provides the prescription: a dose of empathy measured out in legislation and political action. It's a manual for real, deep, and utterly necessary change."—Bill McKibben, 350.org

“In Healing Politics, Abdul El-Sayed doesn't just diagnose the causes of our broken politics; he gives us a prescription and treatment plan. Abdul's passion, empathy, and, most important, personal insight—drawn from his experience as an epidemiologist, advocate, and movement leader—will educate and inspire every reader.”—Representative Pramila Jayapal

“Abdul El-Sayed is an inspired leader with a failsafe moral compass. Achingly felt and carefully reasoned, this book explains the forces that are shattering our communities—and the politics of empathy that can repair our relationships and transform society.”

—Naomi Klein, author of On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal

From the Publisher

"Abdul inspires me, his commitment inspires me, his background, his work inspires me, and we have to have each other's backs.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

03/13/2020

Physician and activist El-Sayed, host of the podcast America Dissected, describes what he calls an "epidemic of insecurity" threatening social, economic, and political futures. Through the perspective of a first-generation son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed aims to illustrate how insecurity affects one's overall health and well-being. Relevant personal experience as a doctor and politician lend credibility to El-Sayed's discourse and explanation of how politics fail people and blame victims. Included is an exploration of how science shaped the author's life, a diagnosis of the causes of unaffordable health care and a rigged economy in the United States, as well as his ambitious policy recommendations. Well-informed, this book successfully captures a troubling political reality and offers potential solutions to improve living conditions for all Americans. VERDICT Readers with an interest in progressive politics who are looking for a well-rounded analysis of how the current political environment came to be will be drawn to this impassioned work.—Rich McIntyre Jr., UConn Health Sciences Lib., Farmington

Library Journal