How healthcare can help heal communities and the planet
A recent study showed that the global healthcare sector is critical to achieving the SDGs and the comprehensive vision of health behind them. It concluded that healthcare is the most important sector for achieving six of the 17 goals, including those related to poverty, education, and employment.
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the world has made substantial progress on health outcomes, with large improvements in life expectancy and childhood mortality and many breakthroughs in treatments. Although progress has not been evenly distributed, some of the biggest improvements have been in countries with the most difficult health challenges. At the same time, however, the healthcare sector is contributing to poor health by exacerbating social inequity and environmental damage, both of which are major factors in the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in September 2015 recognise that human wellbeing depends on reducing social inequity and protecting the environment. A recent study showed that the global healthcare sector is critical to achieving the SDGs and the comprehensive vision of health behind them. It concluded that healthcare is the most important sector for achieving six of the 17 goals, including those related to poverty, education, and employment. Healthcare is also in the top three for another seven goals and is cited more often than any other sector.
Brief about Damon Francis
Dr. Damon Francis is a public health physician and healthcare leader dedicated to addressing health disparities through integrated medical and social care. He has held leadership roles in both nonprofit and governmental sectors, focusing on improving healthcare access for marginalized communities.
Background and Education
Dr. Francis completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he also trained in primary care and internal medicine. He remains affiliated with UCSF as a volunteer clinical faculty member, contributing to both teaching and community health initiatives.
Professional Career
Leadership in Public Health
Dr. Francis served as Medical Director of the Alameda Health System’s Homeless Health Center and later led Alameda County’s Health Care for the Homeless Program. During his tenure, he helped expand services to integrate behavioral, medical, and social care, particularly under new models supported by the Affordable Care Act.
He also played a pivotal role in launching the Urban Male Health Initiative, designed to address systemic health disparities affecting men of color by uniting clinical, housing, and criminal justice systems.
Clinical Innovation
Dr. Francis was instrumental in founding the CRUSH Project at the East Bay AIDS Center. The program focused on HIV prevention and sexual health services for young men of color who have sex with men. It introduced peer navigation, community-led outreach strategies, and inclusive clinic models to improve engagement and care outcomes.
As Chief Medical Officer at Health Leads, he leads national work to redesign healthcare delivery systems, integrating data and governance models that reflect community voice and advance racial equity.
Areas of Expertise
- Homeless health services
- HIV prevention and care
- Racial health equity
- Healthcare systems innovation
- Social determinants of health
Publications and Thought Leadership
Dr. Francis has contributed to medical and public health literature on topics such as HIV care, health equity, and the integration of social supports in clinical settings. He is also a frequent speaker on public health transformation.
Personal Life
Dr. Francis continues to practice medicine in Oakland, California. He is known for his deep commitment to mentorship, community-based approaches, and long-term advocacy for health justice.