In Memory of David Sanders – Champion of Health Equity

We mourn the loss of David Sanders, Emeritus Professor at the University Western Cape and founding member of the People’s Health Movement and Tekano. David passed away on August 30th after a heart attack.

As a pediatrician, public health leader, teacher, author and health activist, David was a leading voice for health equity in South Africa and internationally. He helped shape Atlantic’s population health program and the foundation’s focus on tackling the social determinants of health and promoting primary health care. Most recently, David advised Atlantic in the creation of the Atlantic Fellows program for Health Equity in South Africa. He served as founding director for Tekano, the program’s host organization.

“David dedicated his career to building strong health policies, institutions, and people to deliver quality health care for all,” said  Christopher G. Oechsli, President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies.  “We celebrate his life and take heart that his legacy lives on in the countless communities he has mentored and inspired to work for fairer, healthier societies.”

Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Learn More:

• A world of respect pours out for ‘public health legend’ David Sanders
• Transforming Global Health Through Hope, Health, Action and Knowledge. This report tells the story of how David Sanders and colleagues made the School of Public Health at the University of Western Cape into a leading training institution for health equity.